It wasn’t all that long ago that this time of the year was terrible for countless thousands of Eels supporters, my family included.

For what seemed like forever, we all sat and watched supporters of other teams get nervous about their team facing an elimination final.

Imagine feeling a little jealous about whether your team could continue their campaign for one more week.

Much has been written about our team this year, and there was no shortage of negative opinions quite recently. However, we must not forget that supporters of eight other clubs have no team to watch this week and most had lost hope weeks ago.

Getting the wins earlier this season

Personally, I’m grateful that the Eels effort and commitment guaranteed finals qualification around two months ago, and more recently I’m pleased that they’ve turned around some pretty bad form.

Now, I’m most looking forward to seeing our team play as one.

Our team will need to turn up, they will need to show energy and commitment. They will need to kick well and play with patience. Just like any finals game they will need to take their chances. 

Most finals games are close and this one will be no different. Hopefully the Blue and Gold Army’s Queensland based supporters can do what they’ve become famous for – creating a close to home ground atmosphere for the boys – this time in Rockhampton.

Come this Sunday my Immediate family will put on a barbeque, open some drinks, ring family members before the game and at fulltime, and don Parra jerseys to watch our team play.

I have confidence that our Parra boys will turn up. I hope to see them take the Knights on in the middle of the field. I also hope they can hold tough when momentum turns, as it almost always does in a finals game.

Gutho returns this week

It will be interesting to see how we line up and what tactics we use, but my main hope is that we play our style of football and that ultimately the game is decided by the players on the field.

Our young players last week showed tremendous pride in the jersey. I was an extremely proud Parra supporter. I only ask that this week the players do exactly the same and leave it all on the field.

Parra and the Knights have a similar fan base. We are both passionate and loyal. The shame is that one fan base will be disappointed come Sunday evening.

Such is the beauty and pain of finals football.

I have faith that the Eels can get through but most of all I’m grateful to once again be able to cheer our team past the end of the regular season.

Good luck boys. Though we can’t sit in the stands, just know that many thousands of loyal Eels supporters all around Australia will be, just like us, yelling themselves hoarse.

Shelley

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