2008 Parramatta Eels season
# 2008 Parramatta Eels season

The 2008 Parramatta Eels season was the 62nd in the club's history. Coached by Michael Hagan and captained by Nathan Cayless, they competed in the National Rugby League's 2008 Telstra Premiership.

## Summary

After being billed at premiership contenders by several prominent betting agencies, including TAB SportsBet, the Parramatta Eels failed to impress in the 2008, a season that could only be described as a huge disappointment. The Eels finished 11th in an inconsistent season marred by Jarryd Hayne's controversial shooting incident in the pre-season. Despite the poor performance by Parramatta, CEO Denis Fitzgerald stressed that Michael Hagan's position as club coach was not in danger. Michael Hagan resigned as coach on 21 October 2008, citing family and health reasons for his decision.

## Standings

### National Rugby League

2008 NRL seasonvte :

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Melbourne Storm | 24 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 584 | 282 | +302 | 38 |
| 2 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (P) | 24 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 645 | 355 | +290 | 38 |
| 3 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 24 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 451 | 384 | +67 | 38 |
| 4 | Sydney Roosters | 24 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 511 | 446 | +65 | 34 |
| 5 | Brisbane Broncos | 24 | 14 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 560 | 452 | +108 | 33 |
| 6 | Canberra Raiders | 24 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 640 | 527 | +113 | 30 |
| 7 | St George Illawarra Dragons | 24 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 489 | 378 | +111 | 30 |
| 8 | New Zealand Warriors | 24 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 502 | 567 | -65 | 30 |
| 9 | Newcastle Knights | 24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 516 | 486 | +30 | 28 |
| 10 | Wests Tigers | 24 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 528 | 560 | -32 | 26 |
| 11 | Parramatta Eels | 24 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 501 | 547 | -46 | 26 |
| 12 | Penrith Panthers | 24 | 10 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 504 | 611 | -107 | 25 |
| 13 | Gold Coast Titans | 24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 476 | 586 | -110 | 24 |
| 14 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 24 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 453 | 666 | -213 | 20 |
| 15 | North Queensland Cowboys | 24 | 5 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 474 | 638 | -164 | 14 |
| 16 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | 24 | 5 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 433 | 782 | -349 | 14 |

### National Youth Competition

2008 Toyota Cup seasonvte :

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Canberra Raiders (P) | 24 | 18 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 744 | 581 | +163 | 40 |
| 2 | Brisbane Broncos | 24 | 15 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 684 | 476 | +208 | 35 |
| 3 | New Zealand Warriors | 24 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 721 | 533 | +188 | 35 |
| 4 | Penrith Panthers | 24 | 15 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 692 | 583 | +109 | 35 |
| 5 | Parramatta Eels | 24 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 578 | 564 | +14 | 35 |
| 6 | St George Illawarra Dragons | 24 | 13 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 561 | 520 | +41 | 32 |
| 7 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | 24 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 711 | 587 | +124 | 31 |
| 8 | Gold Coast Titans | 24 | 13 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 686 | 567 | +119 | 31 |
| 9 | Wests Tigers | 24 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 620 | 623 | -3 | 30 |
| 10 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 24 | 11 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 618 | 584 | +34 | 28 |
| 11 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 24 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 519 | 532 | -13 | 26 |
| 12 | Newcastle Knights | 24 | 8 | 1 | 15 | 2 | 526 | 630 | -104 | 21 |
| 13 | Melbourne Storm | 24 | 8 | 1 | 15 | 2 | 512 | 638 | -126 | 21 |
| 14 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 24 | 6 | 1 | 17 | 2 | 394 | 666 | -272 | 17 |
| 15 | Sydney Roosters | 24 | 6 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 480 | 721 | -241 | 16 |
| 16 | North Queensland Cowboys | 24 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 2 | 455 | 696 | -241 | 15 |

## Players and staff

The playing squad and coaching staff of the Parramatta Eels for the 2008 NRL season as of 31 August 2008.

| No. | Position | Player |
| - | - | - |
| 585 | PR | Nathan Cayless (c) |
| 595 | SR | Nathan Hindmarsh |
| 601 | LK | Daniel Wagon |
| 602 | FB | Luke Burt |
| 608 | WG | Eric Grothe jr. |
| 617 | SR | Chad Robinson |
| 665 | PR | Fuifui Moimoi |
| 673 | LK | Feleti Mateo |
| 674 | CE | Ben Smith |
| 676 | HK | Mark Riddell |
| 683 | CE | Joel Reddy |
| 685 | PR | Josh Cordoba |
| No. | Position | Player |
| 690 | CE | Jarryd Hayne |
| 691 | FE | Brett Finch |
| 692 | SR | Todd Lowrie |
| 695 | WG | Krisnan Inu |
| 696 | SR | Junior Paulo |
| 697 | SR | Weller Hauraki |
| 698 | CE | Taulima Tautai |
| 699 | SR | Joe Galuvao |
| 700 | HK | Matt Keating |
| 701 | SR | Brendan Oake |
| 702 | FE | Kris Keating |
| | HK | Anthony Mitchell |

## Transfers

In:

| Player | Previous Club | Years Signed | Until the End of |
| - | - | - | - |
| Joe Galuvao | Souths | 2 | 2009 |

Out:

| Player | Notes |
| - | - |
| Blake Green | Cronulla Sharks |
| Aaron Cannings | Gold Coast Titans |
| Richard Fa'aoso | Newcastle Knights |
| Peter John Marsh | Brisbane Broncos |
| Justin Tsoulos | Bulldogs |
| Zeb Taia | Mid Season to Newcastle Knights |
| Timana Tahu | Rugby Union |
| Ian Hindmarsh | Retired |

## Awards

* Michael Cronin Clubman of the Year Award: Krisnan Inu
* Ken Thornett Medal (Players' player): Nathan Hindmarsh
* Jack Gibson Award (Coach's award): Matthew Keating
* Eric Grothe Rookie of the Year Award: Taulima Tautai
