“We had thirty thousand there yesterday for the Tigers game, and even though it was a Tigers home game, a big contingent were Parra supporters. We’d love nothing more than to get a big crowd to get right behind the boys on Friday night.”
With these words Parramatta coach, Brad Arthur, emphasised the importance of having Eels fans turning up in big numbers on Friday night.
Importantly, I must emphasise that this is not a coach simply fulfilling his role of promoting the game.
When I attended training on Tuesday there was plenty of talk about the size of the crowd for the Tigers game and the noise generated by Eels fans. Talk then turned to what sort of attendance could be expected against the Broncos and what that would mean to the team.
Don’t kid yourself that it doesn’t matter to the players. After a game last year, Manu Ma’u spoke to me about how good it was to see and hear the standing ovation the players received from the crowd at Parra Stadium mid match after defending about 5 consecutive sets on their line.
I wrote recently about the phenomenon of social facilitation. This is a theory used to explain how the energy created by big crowds can lift the performance of athletes involved in team sports that require strength and endurance, especially when fatigue is kicking in.
In rugby league, the extraordinary feats of particular players in events like Origin or grand finals provide evidence of the validity of the theory. Even regular premiership matches that are billed as big clashes and played in front of full houses draw out the best in players.
Unfortunately, if we’re honest with ourselves, some of this year’s attendances for Parramatta matches at ANZ Stadium have been little better than Roosters home games. Given that a venue as large as Homebush provides the opportunity for Eels fans to show up in massive numbers, and also considering Parra’s success at the ground this year, our 2017 crowds have been a little disappointing.
A well populated ANZ Stadium creates a brilliant atmosphere.
So as we approach this week’s big clash with the Broncos, the Parra football department are making plenty of noise about getting a big crowd. I’m here to tell you that it’s not the marketing department. It’s not Eels media. It’s the coach and players.
And why wouldn’t they?
The Broncos are used to getting the advantage of massive home attendances as a stand alone Brisbane team. For other teams, the intimidation doesn’t just come from a team which regularly features in finals football. It also comes from the noise generated by their supporters as they scream for their team and demand offside penalties and forward pass calls.
Wouldn’t it be nice to hand the Broncos a bit of their own medicine!
Plenty of reasons are given for staying at home to watch the match on your lounge. It’s not an unreasonable way to view the game.
However, when the Eels are on the verge of qualifying for finals football for the first time since 2009 and are about to face one of their toughest opponents in a crucial home match, surely the time to get to ANZ is this Friday night.
Blue and gold everywhere – and I’m pretty sure Hamish is looking for royalties.
We know that some of our readers are travelling down from the Central Coast or up from the South Coast. Some are going to make a five hour round trip to get behind the team. They are rushing from work to do so. This level of commitment tells me how important the clash is to these fans.
Personally, I’d love to be part of a forty thousand plus crowd urging on our Eels. We know that the supporters are out there.
So over to you. How important do you believe this match is for the Eels? Will the team be seeing (and hearing) you this week?
Eels forever!
Sixties
I can’t wait for this game, my son & I & probably a few of his friends will get the 3 trains down & back but it’s worth every hour of travel to go watch our Eels. I also hope for a big crowd & a great atmosphere, should be a great game.
Brilliant stuff Rise!
Where are you travelling from Rise of An Empire?
Surely he is not on the cen coast..?
Mate, you’re another champion for your travelling too.
Central Coast jump on at tuggerah
I usually catch the 4.22 Pm out of Tuggerah. Gets me to ANZ by halftime in the NYC
Plenty of supporters up on the Central Coast!
I’m on the Central Coast too. I find it very hard to get to games due to being a shift worker with small children. I wish it were different.
Count in another one from the Coast! Wish I could get outta work early enough to be on that train, but I’ll be down on a following one – wouldn’t miss it for the world!
I missed our last home game against the Doggies, due to a combo of it being a Thursday night and me being ill (I did get to go to the Melbourne game though, loved sticking it to them down there!). I got a text from the Membership team this week saying they missed me at the last home game – great initiative, pleased to have them pro-actively chasing up ticketed members who don’t attend and reminding them the team values their presence.
Good on you Billy-Girl. I reckon all you Central Coast Eels fans should organise get togethers at local pubs or clubs to watch the long distance Eels away games. You travelled to Melbourne? How good is that! I did notice a contingent of Eels fans there on the tv coverage.
My Dad, Mum, sister and myself will be in attendance, all of us Eels supporters! We are in Syd for reasons other than the game (parents flying from Coffs, sister flying from Townsville, and myself from Tamworth). It will be the first time my Dad has been to a game in over 20 years (funnily enough, the last game he went to was with me and my cousin to see the Eels v Broncos at Lang Park!) and it will be my mum’s first game ever! Can’t wait!
How good is your timing Crackie! It is possibly Parra’s biggest game of the year. How’s the support for the Eels in Tamworth?
I can’t wait! I usually get to a few games a year but this will be special with the fam-bam. Loads of Eels supporters here!
A few games a year from Tamworth. I know some people who live in Sydney and barely get to games. Champion stuff mate!
And I’ll be at any finals games we make it to as well!
Dedication to the cause. Impressive mate.
Huss I have a ticket for you if you want to come down for the game
John, Colin has been having issues accessing the site lately. If you have another way of contacting him, I’d use it.
I’ll be at home in Brisbane watching the game, wondering if I’ll be drinking whisky to celebrate the win or rum, drowning my sorrows.
Wait for Whiskey Musings – Forty normally comes up with a good suggestion!
That long haired yahoo in the middle of that picture needs a haircut.
Ham, “long haired Yahoo”, it is a long time since I have heard that expression used. I think I may have had long hair last time I heard that.
If he didn’t get a hair cut, I’m sure he’d be getting people telling him all the time that they’ve seen him somewhere before.
I’ll be there with my darling wife. our youngest daughter, her husband and a few dear friends whom we’ve met through our mutual fanaticism for the Mighty Parramatta Eels!
I hope the crowd is so big we have to settle for a seat between the 10 mtr line and the try line at the south western end of the members area on L4.
just like we had to be content with last when we took our two grandsons. No one complained or even mentioned it?
Go Parra !!!
No if every Eels fan brought along their clan like that, ANZ would be bursting at the seams!
I’m actually bringing my sister-in-law and her husband along to this game. They’re massive AFL supporters (yeah, I know) so hoping this game and the awesome atmosphere (and of course a dramatic Eels victory) can help them convert.
Would be fantastic to see and hear a sea of Blue and Gold there!
Good on you Captain (I’ll avoid making AFL comments). You’re another example of supporters bringing others to the game. I get the sense this could be a special event.
Rant!! 70 years ive followed not only parramatta but rugby league itself and imo the game is in complete chaos , the commision is just a bad decision money wasting machine run by corporate clowns and the refereeing standards are at rock bottom , if i didnt follow people involved in the game personally i would walk away tomorrow without hesitation, i really am over it !!!!!
Anonymous, it’s over 50 years for me, and every week I too find myself shaking my head. I reckon plenty of footy fans feel similarly.
But it’s my passion for the Eels, and my belief that our club will achieve in spite of obstacles, that keeps me there every week. BA and his brilliant staff are creating something special. It won’t be short term either. I’ve been fortunate enough to see it up close, from junior reps and talent squads up to NRL, so maybe I’m a bit biased. It’s only those with bizarre agendas who can’t see the direction the Eels are taking under Arthur. I’m sticking around for sure. I have a suspicion you will be too.
I’ll be there with my young blokes again. 4 hour round trip from Goulburn every week is well worth it.
Every week mate? Top shelf supporting!
I reckon this match will be a ripper!
Bloody hope so. Big, big game for us.
👌
You’re a good man 60’s, always positive and measured replies.
Thanks for putting all of these blogs together. Watching the game with my 70 year old dad at home!
Cheers Sam. The site is a passion project for all of us. Glad you enjoy it. Let’s hope your dad is smiling after the match.
Going to Parra games is an institution in our family which goes back 70 years with my Dad. I took myself along as a 12 year old in 1964 or 1965.
I started taking the family, wife and children regularly in the mid to late 1970’s. When we had finished breeding in the early 1990’s I thought it prudent to start the youngest of our childrens’ indoctrination at about age 4, because of this we had decided to acquire a block of 10 seats in 1996 (as part of a commercial sponsorship package deal) in the Ken Thornett stand for our family of 7 and a couple of their mates. We kept these until just before Stephen Edge left the club.
Over the last 4 years we have started the same indoctrination process with the grand children taking them to Pirtek with their parents, uncles and aunts, Nana and Poppy. We also take them to ANZ stadium when they are keen, it’s no good taking them if they’re not. It’s a bit like our deliberate introduction to Jesus by taking them to Church. Make it fun and they will come!
Now, the fun bit is up to Parra. Caaarn Parra. Go you good things!
I’ve been fortunate enough to get to know Rowdy. He’s a loyal and passionate supporter who’s put plenty of his hard earned into supporting our club. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow mate,
Hi Sixties, has been a while since I have been on the site, as usual great write up!
The girls and I will be there for sure, can’t wait albeit on travelling from Penrith 🙂
I sense the boys know that if they can beat the Broncos, that will be one step closer in their charge for a Top 4 finish, which will guarantee them a home final. In turn, I have no doubt we will see the massive crowds that we saw back in 2009, still will never forget the Preliminary Final against the Dogs with something like 75,000 supporters at that game.
Do you dare to dream, I certainly do…….up the Eels!
What a night that was back in 2009! It was my partners first NRL finals experience (she’s a Kiwi) and I thought she was going to pass out after Parra scored a try. What a year!
It’s a big ask Anonymous (remember you can use your preferred name without registering) but whatever we achieve this year, we will build on next year.
Go you Eels!
It’s Jason Sixties, not sure why it didn’t come up? Just saw the pics from the Captain’s run, the boys look focused!
Hey Jason,
We’ve missed your comments mate. Was it at Ringrose when I last saw you?
Unfortunately I couldn’t attend the captains run as it was behind closed doors. They were sharp on Tuesday.
Yeah I think it was Craig….
I think the boys will lift tomorrow knowing they can secure a top 8 spot if they beat the Broncos.
The girls and I will be at Ringrose on Sunday, hopefully we see you and the other usual suspects out there too.
Have a good one!
Hoping to get there to see Willis in action.
RANT 2 , put the blame where it belongs re billy slater , obviously the buck stops at the referee for not dismissing soliola for the cheap shot but why , because it would spoil the game as a spectcale and thats all that matters to the product as far as fox ,channel 9 and greenberg are concerned , the sport is in the gutter at the moment , where,s the advantage to melbourne through all of this , soliola should serve his suspension bar 1 week that would be held over till next time canberra plays melbourne and this could be a template for all suspensions , if a player is taken out with a cheap shot the perpetrator goes of with him and he cant return unless the victim does that would slow them up , if the victim is out for 3 weeks the perpetrator is out with him and then his suspension starts , theres heaps of solutions but money is the name of the game and all the matters is the old adage ” justice has to be seen to be done “! Dont know if i missed it but did stewart show any concern for slaters welfare at any time ,he certainly didnt in his presser , just blamed everyone but himself as usual , im glad our coach dosent bleat and blame referees , respect for our club means everything !!
Chika, did you really expect any different from Stuart? (There’s a great read from Proshenks about how Stuart told Taka when he was 17 that he’d never play NRL). He’s even tried to take credit for turning Parra around by cleaning out players. There were heaps that we had to pay to play elsewhere because of his actions!
I said earlier, that it’s my passion for the Eels and what Parra are doing under BA that keeps me turning up every week.
Let’s hope there is a great Parra supporter turn up tomorrow night, we are coming down from Nelson Bay hoping for a win. Have met supporters from Port Mac and further afield at Maccas twin servos after the game. Will be attending with sister and hubbie from Manly and between the four of us we have over 200 years supporting the blue and gold. Must be due another premiership soon! Also want to send Brett Kenny all the very best for a speedy recovery.
Impressive Lady Eel. It’s brilliant to read about Eels fans that travel great distances to be at the game. Go you Eels.
By the way, well said about Brett Kenny. All of our thoughts are with him and his family. Times have been very tough for them.
I shall be there. Working in the CBD makes the difference even if I have to trek back to the Central Coast after the game. The dilemma I had was more of the footy tippy variety. With a two point lead do I play it safe or throw caution to the wind? I have backed the Eels. I have a feeling in my waters that the upset is on tomorrow night.
Good on you Crow! There’s quite a few Central Coast Eels fans that read TCT. I had the same dilemma with my tips. I’m not leading like you! (I paid dearly for not putting in my tips when Parra played first match in a round – missed points for the Eels and bonus points for tipping the round).
That’s a bugger but yet to score a bonus round. An interesting fact is the last time I placed in the money for a tipping comp was 2009.
Hope that omen starts to play out again, and one better.
Will be watching from Moree! Definitely have to get to a game this year but time commitments frustrate that and the run of Thursday and Friday night games doesn’t help. Still here loud enough for them to hear me through the TV apparently.
Good on you Colonel – what’s the Eels support like in Moree?
Quite strong actually. A strong fan base up this way. They would be plenty busy with a crowd should they ever come up this way.
Plenty of teams that are quite popular – Dragons and Bunnies predominant but not many teams that don’t have a following.
Very strong league area still.
I’ll be there tonight …. like I have been at every home game for the last 5 years. I try to get to a few away and Wenty games too depending on what’s going on … Huge game tonight !!! Can’t wait to see the boys hand the Broncs a loss !!!
Thanks for adding to this post Tristan. I know how passionate you are about following Parra. Always appreciate your comments on Twitter too mate.
You don’t need to thank me mate, you guys always write quality about articles Parra and the NRL. Keep them coming !!! Hopefully catch you guys at an Anz game soon …
Up the Mighty Blue and Golds !!!!