Howdy All,
2026 the season that is, what could have been, the defensive headaches & heart aches. injuries, unsettled squad, adversity / badluck and at times a lack of polish & committment.
Parra R1–12: Average points 34.5 against/game
- by round 11, we had lost a number of players through injury, some critical, some not so.
* Mitch Moses — hamstring
- Junior Paulo — knee surgery
- Hopgood — season
- Doorey — season
- Simonsson — still out
- Will Penisini — still out
- Jake Tago — still out
- Lincoln Fletcher — still out
Parra R13–21: average points 21.7 against/game
quite an improvement and possibly a truer reflection of where our defensive systems perform, parrituclary when we get cattle back and players more settled.
the table below highlights how things have gone, breaking down the season to date, in 2 parts
| Team | R1–12 conceded | Avg/game | R13–21 conceded | Avg/game | Change in avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigers | 269 | 26.9 | 248 | 31.0 | 🔴 +4.1 |
| Cowboys | 290 | 24.2 | 170 | 28.3 | 🔴 +4.2 |
| Broncos | 283 | 25.7 | 170 | 28.3 | 🔴 +2.6 |
| Dolphins | 239 | 21.7 | 165 | 23.6 | 🔴 +1.8 |
| Titans | 280 | 25.5 | 161 | 26.8 | 🔴 +1.4 |
| Eels | 379 | 34.5 | 152 | 21.7 | 🟢 -12.7 |
| Raiders | 309 | 28.1 | 151 | 21.6 | 🟢 -6.5 |
| Rabbitohs | 266 | 24.2 | 140 | 23.3 | 🟢 -0.9 |
| Sea Eagles | 208 | 18.9 | 139 | 19.9 | 🔴 +1.0 |
| Knights | 284 | 25.8 | 138 | 19.7 | 🟢 -6.1 |
| Dragons | 367 | 33.4 | 136 | 22.7 | 🟢 -10.7 |
| Storm | 314 | 26.2 | 116 | 19.3 | 🟢 -6.8 |
| Roosters | 232 | 23.2 | 110 | 15.7 | 🟢 -7.5 |
| Panthers | 146 | 13.3 | 109 | 15.6 | 🔴 +2.3 |
| Sharks | 260 | 26.0 | 103 | 14.7 | 🟢 -11.3 |
| Bulldogs | 296 | 26.9 | 98 | 16.3 | 🟢 -10.6 |
| Warriors | 194 | 17.6 | 94 | 15.7 | 🟢 -1.9 |
According to Zero Tackle's 2026 tracker, Seven teams have conceded 50+ points this season:
- Wests Tigers — 3 (Round 9, 14 & 21)
- Parramatta Eels — 2 (Round 1 & Round 6)
- Dolphins — 2 (round 5 & Round 19)
- Gold Coast Titans — 1 (Round 1
- Melbourne Storm — 1 (Round 5)
- St George Illawarra — 1 (Round 8)
- Cowboys - 1 (Round 22)
looking specifically at parra and when we conceded 50+, months ago. for mind, its never good to concede 50, id rather be doing it earlier in the season, in the midst of injury crisis then doing at the back end of the season. as the rules change, maybe 50 (points) becomes the new 40 (points), in turning 46 later this year, i hope this is the case :).
like the rest of you, i want to continue to see improvement and taking the fight to other clubs. i believe improve performance on the field, will be the best asset we have in retention then recruitment. if the players grow in confidence, believe in what we stand for, the future will be brighter.
this maybe very similar to some other blogs posted, so i apologsie if so, right now, in a depressing Melbourne based office, im looking for some positivity.
Replies
We need to put a number on wests and finish the season well now there's players coming back. Also need two or 3 more class signings for r and r to come anywhere near a pass mark.
Jimmy on sen still hinting for Parramatta to be patient as he knows of a few more signings. One living in Penrith
Will Penisini still unsigned
Sam Tuivaiti they cant let him get to November 1 that would be disastrous as I see him as a future rep player
Younger guys in flegg and cup need to be signed until at least 2029 , namely Talagi, Fletcher, Perus, koinia ect
thanks for the positivity brother, may your beers be cold!
Baracuda, you're in Melbourne? Maybe a bit drab for weather sometimes but, on the positive side, me and my other two Eels mates down here have been told by everyone we are the best looking most charming NRL fans in the whole state. Totally true story. Surely that description must include you? Chin up stud
Daz, you are a thorough bred, thats for sure! love ya work.
Baracuda, you could meet us fellow Melbourne based Eels for a beer as long as you don't take pics and share them with the dedicated cohort on 1EE that hate my guts!
done mate, will reach out. im out east , in the mean streets of bayswater (home of the body bag) :)
How does our Qld supporters stand up....two heads are better than one?
Chiefy provides an alternative for the NSW guys, in his case its not a matter of 1 0r 2, just empty!
God knows where Mallee sits but the Mallee is in Victoria and would seem he is a survivor of the french revolution, whereas some bodies survived without heads, I think they called themselves numskuls!
Also , Bailey Simmonson just said Will Penisini had just signed for 2 further years - SEN
Thanks for ruining my weekend chiefy. 2 more years with the slowest inept defensive player in the comp
We can't put a number on Wests. Remember, they have the best spine in the comp.
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