History of The Parramatta Eels - History of The Premiership Club - The Brian Smith Years (1997 - 2006)

2006)

1997 - 2000

The 1997 season saw the recruitment of a new coach, former St George Dragons coach Brian Smith. The appointment of Brian Smith saw a reversal in Parramatta's fortunes with the Club finishing in third place and making the Australian Rugby League play-off finals in 1997 for the first time since 1986. Parramatta lost both its finals matches to Newcastle Knights and North Sydney in the Major Qualifying Final to exit from the series. The same scenario would reoccur in 1998 (4th), 1999 (2nd) and 2000 (7th) with Parramatta failing to qualify for the Grand Final on each occasion.

During this period, in the wake of the resolution of the Super League War and the creation of the National Rugby League, the competition underwent a major restructure. It was announced that the new competition would comprise only 14 teams out of the 22 who had competed in the two competitions in 1997. This contraction would necessitate mergers or the culling of teams who did not meet the criteria for inclusion into the new competition. Despite meeting these criteria the Parramatta board explored mergers with both Penrith Panthers and Balmain Tigers but opted against the plan.

2001

Parramatta, having recruited half-back Jason Taylor, finished as minor premiers and qualified for the Grand Final for the first time since 1986. Parramatta won 20 of their regular season matches with the best offensive and defensive record in the season, finishing 5 points clear of the 2nd placed Bulldogs. Parramatta set a regular-season points scoring record in the premiership by scoring 839 points in 26 matches. Playing Newcastle Knights in the Grand Final Parramatta trailed 0 - 24 at half-time. Despite a strong second-half performance from the Eels with 2 tries to both Brett Hodgson and Jamie Lyon the Eels were defeated 30 - 24.

2002 - 2006

The club qualified for the play-off finals in 2002, finishing 6th, but failed to do so in 2004, finishing 9th. In 2005, the Eels won their second minor premiership but failed to convert the position into another Grand Final appearance. It was announced soon after the disastrous 2005 finals series that coach Brian Smith had been asked to stand down after the conclusion of the 2006 season, to be replaced by Newcastle coach Michael Hagan. After a poor start to the 2006 season, Smith resigned on 15 May 2006 and was replaced by former Eels half-back Jason Taylor. Despite the team's low position on the ladder at the time, the team qualified for the finals in 8th position but were eliminated by minor premiers Melbourne Storm in the first week of the series.

Daniel Anderson was appointed coach at the end of the 2008 NRL season.

Midway through the 2009 NRL season the troubled Parramatta Eels club replaced Denis Fitzgerald, then the longest-serving CEO in the competition's history, with Paul Osborne. The Eels then completed a remarable turnaround, going on to reach the grand final, which they lost to the Melbourne Storm.