The Eels fell just short of an NRLW Finals berth as they were beaten 32-18 by the Roosters in the last game of the regular season at CommBank Stadium on Sunday.
Parramatta required a comprehensive victory to clinch fourth spot on the NRLW ladder, but it was not to be despite another courageous performance by Steve Georgallis’ team.
Zali Fay scored one of the tries of the season, leaping onto a cross-field kick by Rachael Pearson and soaring to the stripe while being tackled in the air.
She was joined on the scoresheet by Mahalia Murphy and Rosie Beckett, while Pearson kicked three goals from three attempts.
Elsie Albert made her presence felt in her 25th NRLW game, terrorising the Roosters defence and putting an enormous hit on the Roosters’ Jasmin Strange.
Abbi Church produced a typically influential performance in the no. 1 jersey as she topped the game for run metres and came up with several key moments in defence.
Despite the largely positive performance, the Eels were brought undone by momentary lapses in defence and costly errors.
Parramatta end the NRLW season with a commendable 5-4 record; just one win shy of a top four finish and an overwhelming improvement on their 2023 campaign.
The Eels will celebrate their Women’s program at the 2024 NRLW Awards Night, where the Player of the Year will be crowned.
