But they won just seven games during a disappointing campaign that saw them part ways with long-serving coach Brad Arthur.

A disastrous start to the year – which saw them win just three games in the opening 12 rounds – effectively ended the Eels’ finals hopes before they ever really began.

Ironically, four of their seven wins came against finals teams – the Bulldogs, Manly, Cowboys and Sharks – showing that Parra has the talent to match it with the big guns.

But their lack of consistency and inability to put the struggling teams away proved their undoing.

The killer blow was the fact that star halfback Mitchell Moses managed just eight games during the season.

With Moses on the field, the Eels were a threat in any game … but he missed too much football and that hurt the team.

Dylan Brown enjoyed arguably his best season and took over as playmaker, but didn’t get enough support to get Parra home in the tight games.

Fullback Clint Gutherson was a tower of strength at the back, often playing wounded but giving his all.

Winger Maika Sivo was again the Eels’ top tryscorer with 17 from 12 games but wasn’t at his best, often making crucial errors in games.

Under new coach Jason Ryles, changes will be made – with big prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard likely to be cut loose.

It could be a move the Eels regret, however, with RCG one of their most effective and busy forwards in a difficult year.