 After the first minor semi-final final ended in a 13–13 draw a replay was required and Parramatta were defeated 17–11, but Manly appeared to have scored the winning try on the seventh tackle.In 1979, Parramatta made it to the major semi-final but were defeated by St George 15–11 and lost the preliminary to Canterbury 20–14.In 1980, despite the recruitment of veteran Arthur Beetson and the emergence of notable players such as Eric Grothe, Steve Ella and Brett Kenny, Parramatta missed the finals for the first time since 1974.