Predicted Finish: 3rd
Actual Finish: 3rd
The Eels finished exactly where I expected. They were just outside the true elite of the competition but more than good enough to finish in the top four. They entered the season with heavy expectations and I'd say they delivered.
2. Lowlights
- Lack of points (in comparison): It's a good thing that the Eels defence was so strong in 2020 as, at times, they struggled to find points. Over their 20 regular-season games they scored just 392 points, which was by far the lowest of the top eight sides. It's ok scoring 20 points per game when you're only conceding 14, but they only won one "shoot out" game in 2020, over the struggling Tigers. Both finals games were shoot outs (i.e. high scoring) and they were unable to win either.
- Straight sets exit: The Eels finished in the top four, which all but guarantees a Prelim. That sounds ridiculous but stats indicate you usually win one finals game if you finish in the four. They did not. Losses to the red hot Storm then the in form Bunnies are hardly the end of the world, but that's three big losses in the finals in a row now for this Eels outfit. They finished third but you never felt like they were a chance against the big boys come finals time. 36 and 38 points conceded in the finals makes for painful reading for a team who otherwise defended so well all season.
