Coached by Brian Smith and captained by Nathan Cayless, they competed in the NRL's 2005 Telstra Premiership.

[1] The Eels finished the home and away season on top of the ladder to claim the minor premiership, but were knocked out in the preliminary final, going down 0–29 to the North Queensland Cowboys.

[2] The 2005 season marked a resurgence of the Parramatta Eels; after two years in the wilderness, the club were back into premiership contention after ending the season as minor premiers on 36 points, ahead of the St. George Illawarra Dragons on points differential.

Following the week off, Parramatta were beaten by the Johnathan Thurston-led North Queensland at ANZ Stadium, 29–0, ending another season in disappointment.

Parramatta had also defeated eventual premiers the Wests Tigers twice throughout the season, defeated St. George Illawarra and also recorded a 50-12 victory over North Queensland earlier in the year.