 The Eels luckily avoided the wooden spoon in 1973 and 1974, but began the 1975 season by winning its first-ever senior trophy when they defeated Manly in their first-ever Pre-Season Cup (Wills Cup) final.In the main premiership, Parramatta after a promising start fell off, losing seven and drawing one of nine games mid-season.A rush in the last six weeks saw them easily win five games to finished equal fifth (sixth on percentages) with Balmain and Western Suburbs and were forced into a play-off for fifth position.