What a match we saw on Friday night at ANZ Stadium! The Eels announced their genuine Premiership credentials with a come-from-behind 28 to 14 victory over the Brisbane Broncos. The composure and resilience of the team after being down 12 nil within the first ten minutes of the opening whistle was certainly impressive, and the 70 minutes which followed was probably the most dominant football they’ve played so far this season.
With many post match comments referring to the clash as perhaps the best under Brad Arthur, or even the best since 2009, it was obviously a performance which resonated with the Blue and Gold Army.
Personally, I rated the match as one of the best since 2009, but hopefully there’s even better to come this year.
That said, in the year celebrating the club’s 70th anniversary, what better week for you, the Eels fans, to nominate and discuss the greatest or most memorable match you’ve witnessed.With over 50 years of supporting the club behind me, it was not easy t
o come up with a single nomination. It would be akin to a parent being asked to nominate a favourite child! Undoubtedly, if forced to do so, I would name the first grand final victory, so you’ll see it in my list below.
The Premiership years along with the 2001 and 2009 seasons all contain numerous outstanding matches, and it can be a challenge for a single encounter to stand out during such exciting or dominant years.
However, in this post I wanted to acknowledge clashes which impacted my psyche as a Parramatta diehard. So read on as I list (in chronological order) and attempt validate why this collection of Eels matches belongs in my memory bank.
* Cumberland Oval – Round 16, 1974 Easts 20 defeat Parra 18
This encounter saw the reigning premiers taking on the bottom of the table Eels. On paper and on the results that season, it promised to be a no-contest.
Back in those days, Rex Mossop’s Controversey Corner was a Sunday ritual in our household. The late Ferris Ashton was an Easts stalwart and one of the panelists on the program. In an odd moment during the show on that weekend, a line of text appeared on the screen as the match was being discussed. With apologies for any paraphrasing, it read something like this: “Wouldn’t it be embarrassing for Ferris if Parramatta defeat Easts!”
I was only 13 years old, but my blood boiled. Parra were being used as the source of humour in a program which was not renowned for any intentional comedic element.
Maybe the team had seen the program, because that day they forced one of the greatest sides coached by Jack Gibson to come from behind to scrape out a 2 point victory. I remember physically shaking in the old grandstand as I literally prayed for the Eels to hold on to their lead. It was a loss, but it was one of the more profound moments in my early years as a Parra supporter.
In the years since, I wondered whether it started the Eels on their path to Premiership re-surgence. The squad that year contained players such as O’Reilly, Fitzgerald, Gerard, Quayle, Kolc, McMartin, Sulkowicz, Mann, Campbell, Pittard, Reynolds, Baker and Vincent. All played their part in the Eels reaching the memorable finals series in 1975, with a number featuring in the 1976 Grand Final. The impact of coaches such as Norm Provan and Terry Fearnley, along with the arrival of key players, brought out the best from a group of players who had endured some lean years. But was this close encounter with a champion team their window to viewing a better future?
The 1975 squad featured plenty of the 1974 team which pushed the Roosters that day.
* Brookvale Oval – Round 17, 1976 Parra 14 defeat Manly 10
In a jam-packed Brookvale Oval (please correct your records Rugby League Project – the listed crowd figure is missing a digit) the Eels supporters announced themselves as a travelling force and the team proved themselves to be a title contender.
Lanky fullback Phil Mann turned in a career best performance to earn Man(n) of the match honours in this early prelude to the 1976 grand final. He was always a difficult conveyance for defences to tackle, but his skill set was on full display that day to help guide the Eels to a memorable victory.
As a teenager, hearing the Parra chant echo around Brookvale reinforced the power the fans had in supporting the team. For the Eels players out on the field, it must have felt like a home match. Certainly, the Manly side enjoyed little home ground advantage that day.
* SCG – Grand Final, 1976 Manly 13 defeat Parra 10
It was a loss, but for any Eels fan it was an unforgettable experience. The Eels scored two tries to Manly’s one, but the focus is usually the dropped pass by Neville Glover (one of my all time favourite players).
Back in those days, goals could be kicked from scrum penalties and the Manly side kicked four penalty goals to out point the Eels. The points are on the board, and Manly’s premiership is there in the history books, but I will always argue that Parra were by far the better team on the day.
The better team on the day? I believe so.
Standing at the back of that SCG hill in the first ever grand final to feature the Eels was spine tingling. Paper streamers were a big part of big matches, and when Jim Porter scored his try, it was like a blue and gold canopy had engulfed the hill.
It was a day of singing, roaring, tears and pride as a Parra fan.
* Redfern Oval – Round 21, 1978 Parra 50 defeat Souths 10
Back in the days of the NSWRL competition, nothing exemplified rugby league quite like a big match at Redfern Oval.
The Rabbitohs and the Eels were vying for 5th place coming into the second last round of 1978 and over 17000 people packed into Redfern that day. The South Sydney home ground was typical of the suburban grounds of that era – compact with a single stand facing a hill area. The crowd that day was the largest of the season for the venue and Eels fans made up at least half of those in attendance.
The old Redfern Oval was not renowned for its creature comforts.
The pundits expected a close encounter. Instead they witnessed a complete demolition of the home team by a rampaging Eels hitting form at the right end of the year. In a season of fluctuating form, Parramatta had, until that point, been unable to recapture the form which had seen them feature in the previous two grand finals. That day we witnessed a team click into ominous form at a ground famous for its hostile reception of visiting teams. I believed that the Eels were on their way to a third consecutive decider.
The record books now document that the Eels would bow out to the Sea Eagles in a mid week semi-final replay. At the time, the club actually considered lodging a court injunction to declare the semi-final result void based on the refereeing performance of Greg Hartley. It was a performance infamous for his inability to keep a tackle count (extra for Manly on multiple occasions, less for Parra. And yes it really happened) and for erroneously sending Ray Price from the field. Whenever I’m critical of today’s referees, I need only look back on that era for a reality check.
It really got to this point. The headlines from 1978.
Manly would go on to win the premiership in a series where they were lauded for their tenacity. Personally, I regard that finals series as a blight on the history of rugby league.
* SCG – Grand Final 1981, Parra 20 defeat Newtown 11
It’s hard to top being present at the Club’s first ever Grand Final victory. For those not old enough to have experienced an Eels title (and there would be plenty of you out there!) it will probably be a similar sensation when the next Premiership occurs.
This was an unusual and unexpected clash. Neither side had been considered to be premiership heavyweights that year. In essence it was a decider featuring two rugby league fairy tales.
What a team! What a day! What a night!
Once again the hill belonged to Eels fans. When I reflect upon it, a common thread of these memorable matches was being part of a mass of humanity wearing the same colours and yelling in unison.
Although Brett Kenny’s final try often features in images from that day, it was Graeme Atkins “sprint” to the try line that is forever imprinted in my memories. With Cronin’s conversion it would see the Eels extend their lead to six points (converted tries being worth 5), but I doubt that a winger’s grand final run to the line has ever appeared more slow motion than that.
I won’t even begin to describe that night at the League’s Club!
* Parramatta Stadium – Round 1 1986 Parra 36 defeat Dragons 6
From the literal ashes of Cumberland rose the new Parramatta Stadium. Parochial Eels fans had a shiny new venue and nearly 27000 of us showed up to this first ever Premiership match to be featured there.
The Dragons never really stood a chance as a Peter Sterling inspired Eels annihilated the1985 grand finalists. It was a preview of a year of domination for Parra, yet few would have imagined the premiership drought that has since followed.
I wonder how many Eels supporters felt the lump in their throat when an injured Mick Cronin and the legendary Ken Thornett were introduced to the crowd. I remember cheering with pride as the massive “Welcome Home” banner was unfurled. After four years without a home, it was an incredible moment and a memorable day.
That banner. We were finally home.
* Parramatta Stadium – Great Britain Tour Match 1992, Parra 22 defeat Great Britain 16
There was little to cheer about in the 1992 season, but what a night this was! Beginning with Lee Oudenryn winning a pre-match 100 metre sprint against British speedster Martin Offiah, it seemed like destiny would bestow a memorable evening for the long suffering Parra fans.
The touring British fans added plenty of colour and noise to the spectacle, whilst New Zealand half Stu Galbraith enjoyed his best performance in a Parra jersey.
The match itself probably raised well-founded concerns given that the touring poms were beaten by one of the premiership’s cellar dwellers. I remember giggling to myself as I overheard British fans discussing what a strong team Parramatta were!
We will probably never again see touring international teams take on club sides. On that night Parra earned their place in the record books for beating Great Britain.
* ANZ Stadium – 2009 Preliminary Final, Parra 22 defeat Canterbury 12
This match was the culmination of Parramatta’s incredible late season surge to the 2009 decider. Billed as the “Sydney Grand Final” (and probably the true grand final given the Storm’s salary cap exploits), supporters of both clubs turned up in force to have the Homebush venue buzzing with a crowd in excess of 74000.
In a brilliant promotional move, the ground was split into nominal Eels and Bulldogs sections for ticket sales, creating two seas of distinct colours. After mistakingly obtaining tickets in the Bulldogs section, this author was able to take in the glorious view of the Eels crowd from the other side of the field.
The football itself was as good as it gets as the Eels surged from a six point deficit to overpower the Dogs. As Brett Kimmorley later offered about Parra’s irresistible attack, “we knew that they were going to shift the ball, but we couldn’t stop it!” Few could forget the scenes of joy after the match as the players allowed themselves to be swallowed up by the joyous crowd.
Incredible scenes as Morts and Mannah almost disappear into the throng.
* ANZ Stadium – Round 9 2016, Parra 20 defeat Canterbury 12
This is the final and most recent entry in this list. Exemplifying the term “against the odds”, it was a match which the Eels shouldn’t have won.
The injuries came thick and fast for the team, and at a crucial time the Eels were left with no players left on the interchange bench. The Bulldogs massive pack were on the rampage and laying the platform to win a war of attrition.
Yet a Parramatta team which was once renowned for its lack of resilience, battled against adversity to record one if its most courageous victories. It was also the match which signalled the arrival of Clint Gutherson as a quality player. Switched to fullback during the match, “the King” demonstrated both his versatility and his prowess when playing closer to the action.
Over To You!
Does this weekend’s great victory over the Broncos make your list of memorable Eels matches? It’s difficult to find too many such moments since 2009. Maybe you’re an older fan like me and find it more difficult to narrow down your choices.
It’s your chance to share.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Friday’s match against the Broncos was a game I enjoyed immensely. It will go down in my memory as one of the Club’s greatest.
Loved every minute of it…even the first seven because the fight back is what made it all the more special)
Another that sticks in my mind is when Brian Smith’s team defeated Easts in a semi final with Pat Richards having a blinder,,
Hi Pete! I think that was from 2000. We finished 7th, Roosters 2nd. We won 32 to 8 and from memory Dennis Moran also had a ripper of a game. I didn’t include that because I wasn’t able to attend the match and had to watch it on TV.
That finals run in 2000 had two great games, both come from behind wins if I remember right against Penrith and Easts. Against Penrith Jim Dymock got himself in trouble for a lifting tackle and the judiciary hearing was a classic, with Dymock saying he knew he was in trouble when he “felt testicles” and tried to pull out of the tackle, and Girdler I think it was admitting he dived head first into the ground to try and milk a penalty, when asked if he did that often he replied “only in semi finals”. Dymock got off the charge.
Jim Dymock had some classic moments. I remember the audio from a refs microphone during a game when Dymock was being cautioned for a shot he put on an opponent. He started laughing and replied “yeah, I smashed him!”
“Felt testicles!” Oops…
You are 100% correct sixties I remember that game also.
What ever happened to Kevin Webb? Ill never forget the high given by my team to win 3 games in a week to make the semi finals then knock off the Dogs in the semi. 4 games for 4 wins in a week. Magnificent stuff. Kevin Webb, a 3rd of 4th string hooker absolutely killed em and not sighted off Nobbys after.
For me that week was the greatest week in Eels history to date. Of cause 1981, 2, 3 and 6 wernt half bad either.
Hey Gazza, I reckon Parrathruandthru could add some details about Webby. I’m sure I remember him playing first grade after 1975, but when I checked the records on Rugby League project, it lists no club in 76 or 77, before being at the Eels again in 78. He is listed as being at Parra in 81 then the Roosters in 82. It doesn’t have a definitive first grade match count for him.
Edit – via Parrathruandthru – Webby was with the club from 75 to 81 but mostly played lower grades. He was still eligible for under 23s up till 1978.
Thanks 60s and PT&T. Webby certainly left his mark on this 20 year old at the time. All hail Norm Provan. Hes the one that woke the sleeping giant.
Parrathruandthru is a walking encyclopaedia on Parra. If he doesn’t know off the top of his head, he keeps some great records. Norm Provan started a genuine cultural change. He was still physically fit and the players would see him do conditioning work and realised that the Dragons had their success because blokes like him worked hard to achieve it. Look at the 1975 photo I posted. The majority were there in 1974 when the club sat rooted to the bottom of the ladder. A couple of key additions and a new coach. Boom!
For me it was the 81 GF. Massive crowd, emotional moment in winning our first GF, The emergence of Brett Kenny as a true footballing star. Great in attack and defence. The ride home down Parramatta Rd with everyone screaming out the windows of cars and waving Eels colours. The return to the Leagues Club where I was refused entry so I watched Cumberland Oval burn instead. Just a great day.
Luckily I got in, even though my condition was highly questionable. My brother was refused entry and he too ventured to watch Cumberland burn. By the way, the players lost personal stuff that night that they had in their lockers in the dressing room.
That is pretty ordinary
God I hope that welcome home banner is buried in the basement somewhere. That would be magical to bring it out for the next welcome home match at the new Parra Stadium. I could be biased that was the first ever match I attended, and I wonder why I bleed blue & gold!
Still on a major high from that quality match Friday night.
Aren’t we all Stew!
Sorry had to add a bit more, It isn’t always the quality of Parras game that makes for a great game for those in the stands. Crowd involvement has made some great game day memories for me, the era of the ‘TOOKS’ cry every time he got the ball & the Beeennnjjji chant for marshals first game for st George made for great games to be in the stands ( or on the hill)!
Agreed mate. There was something apart from the match itself that contributed to my memorable moments – it was like each of them had a subtext that made the encounter even better – and quite often it was the crowd.
Probably one of the best crowd moments, 81 GF and 86 v St George aside, was the 2009 Preliminary Final against the dogs that you mentioned above. The atmosphere was just brilliant that night against the old foe.
Hard to go past any of the four titles. Some of those been mentioned were terrific as well. With the context of Friday night, Who could forget the second half come back against the Raiders at Parra Stadium circs 1990 (The Bob Lindner game). For sheer brutality, I will never forget the Friday night semi final against Norths at Parra Stadium. Cant remember which year.
I still remember being plucked out of school by my dad to go and watch Parra play South Africa in a mid week game. Up until that point everybody in the class, including the teacher, thought I was a goose, thinking Parra would be playing SA.
Such a rare match to be able to attend mate. Hope you’ve got some memento of the occasion.
There are plenty of great Eels memories to choose from, but I think I have to choose from the ones I was present at.
For this, I can’t go past Grand Final 1986.
Not because it was a massive score line , because it wasn’t.
Not because it was repleat with wave after wave of attacking football.
But simply put, there is nothing YET that has compared to the feeling of being there as Parramatta “climbs that mountain” for the Grand Final win.
Being in the stands as that final tackle was made with Canterbury hammering our line, the elation as the siren sounded …… very little compares.
I know that being there at the ground for their FIRST grand final must have been pretty special, but as I was too young to attend that one and watched it from the comfort of our lounge room , 1986 pretty much tops the list.
Coming in a close second is this year, being at ANZ as we came from behind to beat the Wests Tigers. Reason? I was interviewing Steve Ella at the time and the interview had to be paused multiple times due to the crowd noise as Parra started coming back ….. and the fact that myself and Zip wanted to watch the replays on the screen where we were doing the interview! Nothing like interviewing a Parra legend as the team starts to assert it’s dominance in a game!
Watching the fatigued jubilation at the end of that grand final was a sight to behold.
My favourite piece of Parra Trivia.
Grand Final crowd 1981.
57333.
Turn it upside down.
EEELS.
How good was that!
The most memorable for me was a semi final against Norths at Parra Stadium sometime back in the late 90s. I used to go to every Sydney game but for some reason I missed that one and by all accounts it was an absolute cracker. So it sticks in my memory even though I’ve only seen highlights.
I’ve seen that match get a run occasionally on Foxsports.
Think that was 1998 semi Pou; we won 25-12 after being behind. I was there and crowd felt more than the 16000 it was. I recall a 5-10 min part where we bashed them; Smith, Pay, McCracken, Dymock, Tookey and a young Cayless. Great atmosphere…we went to final at SFS mate and devastated for a week / month after. V sad and we could have won that GF…lets not go there. Kelvin Jeffes was ref i am sure of it. Remember him?
Hard to pick a favourite but that one sticks out…and also as a kid watching them win Tooth Cup 1980 midweek- think Mick Collins kicked the goals and also recall a St Gregs win in schoolboys over a young Benny Elias Holy Cross (not sure of the years). Ahhhhh those brown and white looped footys and wish i had one.
Good recollection Mitchy. Didn’t Cayless score a try in that? I’m sure I remember him sprinting over the line.
Those footies – I tried to turn my football into one of those using house paint. Massive fail and destroyed a good footy! We’ve heard of waterlogged – I created paint logged.
2003 Parra vs Cronulla. Home game. Parra posted over 70 points that game. I remember the chants going up for 40 then 50, then 60 and 70 points to be scored. It was glorious.
Good times!
Great memory Trouser, I too was at that game in the Cronin Stand and thinking “How good’s this young halfback”? If I’ve got the game/year right? He was at the Sharks the next year, I believe? probaly played his best footy there for the next 5 years or so.He went OK at Ringrose on Sunday too. There was a play that needed to be made in the second half and there was old baldy, man of the moment, nothing spectacular just doin’ the extra effort that he’s been renowned for in the eyes of Parra fanatics for a very long time!
I won’t mention his name until one of the stats gurus on here confirm my recollections or bust me for trying to make silk purse out of a sows ear.
Rowdy, are you referring to Robbo? I have the feeling he played lower grades with us in 2003, but didn’t debut in first grade till he joined Manly in 2004. His Parra NRL debut was in 2009. As a first grader, he was a late bloomer.
Thanks Sixties. Yes Robbo, and he was a late bloomer. Does that mean we flogged Cronulla twice in that decade? I wasn’t confident about the year but I do recall a game that Robbo played brilliantly in when he came back to Parra where we played the Sharks at home which I thought was in the 2nd round and we flogged them at Pirtek. Then sometime thereafter Robbo signed with the Sharks I remember thinking it may have been his performance in that game which had excited Flanno? I recall being very disappointed that we had lost him. If memory serves me correctly about anything on the subject of Robbo, he was quite a good halfback for Cronulla during the time he was there.
I might still have some of the details confused or worse? But it was an interesting topical outcome nonetheless.
Hi Rowdy,
Perhaps you were thinking of the 40 to 6 win by the Eels over the Sharks in 2011. We finished 14th that year, so that was a big result. Robson signed with the Sharks for the 2012 season.
Unfortunately I wasn’t born for any eels 80s glory so the ANZ Stadium – 2009 Preliminary Final, Parra 22 defeat Canterbury 12 is the BEST GAME I’VE EVER BEEN TOO!!!
I reckon it would be the benchmark for many younger supporters.
The other game that stands out for me was at PARRAdise 2014 round 24 when eels comeback against manly and that massive run from semi!!
The close ups on Semi’s face as he ran were classics.
The 2009 Qualifying Final between Parramatta and the St. George Illawarra Dragons. It’s my favourite Eels game ever! Being the eighth placed team and beating the minor premiers at their home ground, just 10 days after that same team beat us 37-0! The 80-metre Eric Grothe intercept try as the Dragons threatened to score, the 40-metre Luke Burt field goal, and then the coup-de-grace, Jarryd Hayne scoring his greatest try ever in standing up pretty much the ENTIRE Dragons team on the way to the try line! Then the cameras panning to the thousands of Dragons fans streaming for the exits as the blue and gold cluster went nuts on the hill. Absolutely awesome!!
It was an incredible turn around, wasn’t it! Were you there that day? I remember watching the scenes of the Parra fans going nuts and wishing I was there.
I wish I could have been, but alas, I wasn’t. It would have been an incredible experience for anyone lucky enough to witness it live, especially that Hayne try.
Even though he’s now a Titan, few Eels players have highlight reels like Hayne. It was his great error to not return to a side which no longer needs him, but in fact could have helped him to take his game to another level.
(1) Mine has to be eels vs Newcastle not sure on the year but think it was 1999.
Was a battle of the forwards was tough going for both sides but at the end of the day the eels won 24/22.
Was sticks in my mind was cayless FG ….lol never seen a prop kick a FG in my life.
(2) Match vs bulldogs at pirtek.
I remember it was a stormy night lightning , thunder , rain it was all happening on the weather front. Anyhow I remember at full time they spoke with Ian hindmarsh n asked him about the game n he said it was good but the weather was crazy n said he thought they were going to call off the game because of the storm. Eels n dogs played out a 20 all draw.
Ah, the Caylo field goal! I think a commentator said, in reference to Caylo running back for the kick off, that his chest crossed the half way about five metres before he did. If I kicked a field goal like that I would have retold the story every day.
Personal memory and one I will cherish for a long long time. In 2005 when Parramatta won the minor premiership, then Coach Brian Smith didn’t want players involved in the presentation of the JJ Giltinan Shield.
As a member of the Event Staff with Robyn Morrison in charge (Glenn’s wife) I was asked along with another member of the Event staff to present the Shield to the crowd
I full understand now when the players used to all change over on the lap of honour as that thing is massively heavy.
It was presented to Nathan Hindmarsh and Alan Overton by David Gallop and one all the formalities were done and photos taken, Hindy just ealked off leaving the Shield balancing on the grass and thankfully we were able to grab it before it fell.
Massive honour to be asked by the club to carry it around the field to show the crowd.
We smashed the Sea Eagles and joined in the Terry’s a wanker chant that went right around the ground.
Tremendous memory mate. You should feel honoured.
Very much so.
Many of my favourite games listed here.
So I will add in Round 24 2009 Eels v Tigers at Allianz (SFS) Eels 26 – 18
I still have this game on my Fox Box and re watch it during the off seasons.
The crowd was electric. The game was brilliant. End to end footy, Ball movement. Speed of the game.
Just remember everyone sitting on the edge of their seats the whole game.
Again it featured one of those cracking Hayne tries, but for mine that one started by the offloads of Mateo and Inu topped most of the tries in that surge of victories.
Apart from the 1981 GF, one game that has always stood out to me was a round 5 win 19 at 4 vs. Manly at Cumberland Oval in 1975. After following them to every game in the lean seasons of 72-73-74 when the supporters bus was barely half full, that game marked the second win against Manly in 5 weeks following the 11-5 pre season victory in Wills Cup final.
1975 was the start of such a great run for the club across all three grades largely due to the 13 import rule, but that game, to me, really announced the eels as an emerging force. Dave Cotter bagged a double and 5 goals and Graham Olling the other try in a whale of a game he played.
A big crowd on a Sunday arvo at Cumberland Oval beating Manly was heaven on earth.
Great moment mate. I used to travel by supporter bus to away games before I was old enough to drive. I remember one game at Brookvale where there was actually a fleet of buses (pretty sure it was in excess of 20). It was a sight as all of the buses left after the game (and a win)
For me,like a few others above it is the 1981 Grand Final….. not just the match but the exact moment when all that I had experienced in terms of emotional involvement in following Parra since 1961 suddenly exploded within me ! I think we were leading but things were still tense when that famous brilliant dummy (a diminishing attacking skill in todays game ??), by Brett Kenny saw him beat the Newtown defence to race away to help seal the game.
While I was able to experience similar delights through a lot of the eighties, it has been a long drought since but I have no doubt that I will have no trouble matching those highs if we can crack it again…I live in hope
I was 20 years old and it felt like I had waited forever for a title!!! It might feel like a bigger deal this time for all of us.
What I look forward to now is getting back to WSS. ANZ is Ok but it is vast and can’t match the atmosphere we will generate at the new stadium even with only 15 or 20,000 people. Sell outs will be spectacular.
The supporters really need to start showing up John. I understand the venue and times might not suit, but there’s not many games left. We need to get behind them.
I remember getting tickets at Parra stadium near the try line and saw Mal Megina and Raiders demolish Parra in the 1st half 24 nil I think. The crowd booed Parra off. Second half saw Parra saw score something like 30 unanswered points to win. It wasn’t one of the great classical wins like the grandfinals but it was a fantastic Sunday afternoon of footy
That was a great comeback Paul. We all have different matches that are imprinted for different reasons. Two on my list are probably very obscure, but at the time, something about the match or circumstances caused them to stay with me. I think your choice is one that many fans would relate to.