 After two years in the wilderness, the Eels 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.The first week of the 2005 Finals Series saw a comfortable 46–22 win over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, who were in their first finals campaign since the creation of the National Rugby League in 1998.Following the week off, the Parramatta Eels were annihilated by the Johnathan Thurston-led North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium, 29–0, ending another season in disappointment.