The pain of the wooden spoon – their first in 41 years – still stings out Parramatta way, despite the overhaul the NRL club has had under new coach Ricky Stuart.
The 2002 premiership-winning coach has made no bones about how tough his latest task is at the Eels, as he attempts to lift a club without a title triumph since 1986 out of the rugby league doldrums.
The former champion halfback has been handed a brief to rejuvenate one of rugby league’s proudest clubs and relative unknown five-eighth Luke Kelly is one player Stuart has put his faith in to take the club forward.
Kelly, 23, only managed four NRL games in 2012 before suffering a fractured eye socket that prematurely ended his season.
Those four games were alongside Chris Sandow, who he will partner in the halves in Parramatta’s season opener against the Warriors at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.
A product of famed rugby league nursery, St Gregory’s Campbelltown, and a former premiership-winning skipper of the National Youth Competition with Melbourne in 2009, Kelly is one of a number of bright young faces the club is banking its future on.
But it is an age-old motivation that will drive them in 2013 – the humiliation of the wooden spoon.
“Everyone was really disappointed with the way we finished off last year and everyone has come back with a point to prove – a point to prove not only to our supporters but to our teammates as well,” Kelly told AAP.
“The wooden spoon is not something that has been spoken about but everyone just knows it is there. We are keen to make up for last year … and the only way is up.”
“It’s a relief the season is finally here and we are all really excited about it.”
The Warriors were another big disappointment in 2012 and Kelly knows the New Zealand side will be fired up by similar desires of redemption.
“They are in a similar position to us. They will want to make amends for the way they finished last year too,” Kelly said.
“They are a really big side and we will really need to have our defence in order.”