“You unlock this door with the key of loyalty. Beyond it is another dimension – a dimension of hope, a dimension of resilience, a dimension of faith. You’re moving into a land of both joy and challenges, of good times and bad. You’ve just crossed over into the Parra Zone.”

Meet Mr Sixties. Somewhat large in frame, yet mild-mannered. His eyes are wearied with age and his hearing is impaired by the live music scene of the 80s. Visible scars on his leg are testimony to his unparalleled clumsiness. He has a level of verbosity that can frustrate even his closest friends and family.

Yet this rather ordinary nobody is driven by a force that he cannot control. It’s a force that compels thousands of others, ordinary people just like him, to stay on a path that others with much better judgement would quickly depart. It’s drives the afflicted to worship at an altar swathed in blue and gold with an Eel as its traditional totem.

With this force influencing his every decision, Mr Sixties approaches the Easter weekend with both anticipation and trepidation.

Four days of football feasting beckon, and the compulsions that are no longer confined to winter seasons have already determined his fate. It will be nothing but Parra this long weekend. His long-suffering partner, Yoko, usually prepares for one day of footy widowhood at week’s end. Four days could test the resolve of the strongest relationships. She takes the news with a rare calm.

Mr Sixties takes a moment to ponder, “How long has she been resigned to the inevitability of the calendar?”

Good Friday

Mr Sixties ventures to a holy place – Old Salesyard Reserve. He is not on his own. Others have joined him, their own similar afflictions all too evident. They speak with an enthusiasm understood only by followers of the same faith.

Yet something is different today.

Those on the field in their ceremonial robes seem possessed with an energy not witnessed in recent weeks. Mr Sixties seeks validation of his observation. Universal agreement confirms that the spirit is present on the field. It promises to be a good weekend.

High energy characterised Eels training this week.

The faithful depart the grounds but already Mr Sixties is thinking.

Should he take to the TCT pulpit to share the news with distant followers?

He considers the demons that threaten to eat away at the heart of these people. Will a report offer false prophesies?

Mr Sixties shares nothing but his attendance.

Easter Saturday

Leichhardt Oval – the temple for the followers of a different faith. This will be the destination for Mr  Sixties as he watches those who are looking to wear the ceremonial robes in the future.

He takes his seat near some proud parents of the young seminarians.

Mr Sixties is joined by Mr Forty. Today Mr Forty will document the deeds of the young men wearing blue and gold onto the sacred tablet.

It’s a joyous day at this ancient place of worship.

Despite the persistent interruptions of Mr Sixties’ aforementioned verbosity, Mr Forty chisels out over 6000 words as he bears witness to dominant performances by the blue and gold youth. The 16 year olds vanquish the Sharks by 30 to 10. The under 18 years tame the Bulldogs 52 to 12. The good word is spread live through the church of TCT.

Via an apostle, news soon filters through of the successful mission of the aligned black and white forces at Belmore. A resolute effort under pressure produces an 18 to 12 score line.

The anticipation continues to build.

The day ends well for Mr Sixties as wise men share their observations of the day with him.

Easter Sunday

Venturing out before Yoko has even awoken, Mr Sixties makes an early morning pilgrimage to Old Salesyard. He is about to witness the special ceremony known as the “Captain’s Run”.

Mr Forty joins him as the young clergy in training complete their own service.

An Easter greeting from some buoyant elders, including the high priest, sets the positive tone.

The ceremony takes up where good Friday left off. The energy levels on the field are again high. There is a confidence about their processes. Their exultations seem to foretell a return to better times.

The Captain’s Run concludes.

The importance of family is emphasised as the children of the players and staff arrive for their Easter egg hunt.

It’s been a positive preparation this week.

The urge to prophesise is resisted as Mr Sixties again only offers a tweet of attendance.

Later on, word filters through that the two Parramatta Eels under 15s development squad teams were facing off against each other in the final of the Nyngan Easter Carnival. They had overcome older rivals and the Panthers squad to reach the final.

Those responsible for the Eels junior players and program should feel proud.

Easter Monday

Over twenty thousand of his brethren will join Mr Sixties at the ANZ Stadium temple today. With Yoko at his side, and wearing the colours of his faith, he journeys to Homebush.

It’s a special day for those who worship the Blue and Gold. A seventy year history is being honoured. Tributes will be offered to legends.

The greats.

With Brother Losco across the ditch, the TCT crew don’t have access to our usual shared abode.They find themselves scattered across the stadium. Brother DK spends his day filming the legends.

As he takes his seat, Mr Sixties looks for a divine sign. It’s delivered early as the NYC Eels cut a swathe through the young Tigers and finish 48 to 16 victors.

Four grades, four victories.

The force takes hold of Mr Sixties as the NRL Eels take to the field. He is no longer mild mannered. His voice loudly proclaims his faith. He leaps to his feet to exhort those on the field to smash their Wests Tigers foes.

As the match ebbs and flows, the emotions of Mr Sixties ride with the fortunes of the team. Successful moments are greeted with screams of joy. Failures are signalled by moans. Dubious rulings are met by cries of profanity, and those running the sidelines with flags in their hands are urged to rouse from their slumber and watch the game.

He is not alone. Those around him even question the very nature of their faith as the team threaten to self-destruct.

Yet the reward for the faith awaits Mr Sixties and others like him. The Eels dig deep and find first the resilience, and then the inspiration, to overcome the Tigers. A 12 point deficit is turned into a 26 to 22 victory.

Oooooh yeah!!!

The difference between winning and losing seems so much greater than that four point differential. It feels like more than 2 points on the table. The Blue and Gold needed the victory. It is that important.

Preach it man, preach it!

Hand shakes with nearby supporters and a catch up with Miatch and Gol afterwards in the members bar conclude the day as Yoko and Mr Sixties head off home. Literally scores of texts await replies. The joy and relief is reflected in their content.

The long, long weekend comes to a conclusion. Five grades of Eels victories the reward.

For Mr Sixties, and the thousands just like him, the faith stays burning bright.

It’s what comes with living in the Parra Zone.

Eels forever!

Sixties

If you liked this article, you might consider supporting The Cumberland Throw.