Missing the finals in 2023 following a grand final appearance 12 months earlier wasn't part of the plan for the Eels, who will be desperate to bounce back into contention this coming season.
In 2024 they'll play four of their first six games at home at CommBank Stadium, before a tough stretch of games, compounded by short turnarounds, tests the resolve of Brad Arthur's side.
Teams they play twice
Taking on big guns the Panthers, Broncos and Storm twice represents a tough schedule for the blue and gold, but it's somewhat balanced out on paper by also getting home and away fixtures against Wests Tigers and Bulldogs, who ran last and third to last respectively in 2023. The Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs and Roosters are the other opponents they'll face twice.
Teams they play once
From a travel perspective, having single-game meetings with the Raiders, Cowboys, Warriors, Titans and Dolphins would normally be a big plus, but in 2024 all but the Cowboys' clash will be on the road for them – although the Round 7 clash against the Dolphins in Darwin is a designated home game for Parramatta. The Sharks, Knights and Dragons are the other teams they meet just once.
Day-by-day breakdown
- Thursday: 2 games (2 home, 0 away)
- Friday: 10 games (4 home, 6 away)
- Saturday: 7 games (4 home, 3 away)
- Sunday: 3 games (1 home, 2 away)
- Monday: 2 games (1 home, 1 away)
Turnaround time
- 5 days: 3 games
- 6 days: 6 games
- 7+ days: 14 games
The Eels have three five-day turnarounds, which is the equal most of any team. Crucially they all come within five weeks of each other too, with short turnarounds leading into their Round 13 game against the Sharks, a Round 15 clash against the Roosters and their Round 18 encounter with South Sydney.
Opening month
- Round 1: v Bulldogs (H)
- Round 2: v Panthers (A)
- Round 3: v Sea Eagles (H)
- Round 4: v Wests Tigers (H)
Home games in three out of the opening four weeks presents a nice opening month for the Eels, with the Round 2 clash against the Panthers being the only time they face a 2023 top-eight side across their first four matches. They'll host the traditional Easter Monday fixture against Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium.
Magic Round
After falling just short of picking up a late win over the Titans in this game last year, the Eels play the Storm in the penultimate game of the round. Despite losing both of their games against Melbourne last year, Parramatta have a good record against the Storm over the past three seasons, winning four of six since 2021.
State of Origin watch
Any Eels players selected for Origin won't be able to play in their Round 13 match against the Sharks or Round 19 clash with the Titans. Brad Arthur's side get a bye in Round 16 and will avoid having to play without their representative stars that week, with another bye in Round 20 meaning they won't have to back-up post Origin III. Not playing until Monday (a King's Birthday clash against the Bulldogs) in the round after Origin I could also be a big help for those hoping to back-up, while they take on the Knights in the wake of Origin II in Round 17.
Can't miss game
Round 4 v Wests Tigers, Monday at CommBank Stadium (H)
Forget about the fact Wests Tigers haven't been a finals contender for a long time, because their games against the Eels of late have been outstanding anyway. Eight points has been the biggest winning margin in their last three meetings, with the blue and gold winning two of them. CommBank Stadium will be pumping for this one on Easter Monday.
