The 2025 Parramatta Eels home and away jerseys by Macron dropped today and because I’m a sucker for punishment, I thought I’d take the chance to review something which usually divides the fanbase down the middle.
What could be safer than writing an opinion-based piece about a purely subjective topic that so many people care so passionately about?
Bearing all that in mind, here we go!
People talk about Christmas Day as being their favourite day of the year.
But for Rugby league fans, the only summer days which really matter are the days when the next season’s jerseys drop, and the day that the full NRL draw is released.
Christmas is also ok, but only because it gives you a chance to be given one of the new jerseys for free from a friend or relative (hey, hey… I’m not hating on Christmas, it’s just unfair to compare it to jersey release day).
To structure expectations appropriately, there is an NRL directive that clubs need to maintain the aesthetic of their home and away jerseys for two seasons. This effectively means that every season we will get a change to either the home or the away jersey, but not both.
The benefit of this to fans is that your jersey will remain relevant to what is being worn on the field for two years, the downside is that if it’s a jersey that you’re unhappy with, you’ll be waiting for two years before you see some change.
Given 2024 was the first season with the current navy blue home strip, this one hasn’t changed for 2025.
Thankfully the change of major sponsor means we get to cheat a little, with the James Hardie logo meaning the home jersey actually looks different enough to potentially warrant the investment.
So with all that said, let’s break down the 2025 jerseys!
The Good
The iconic James Hardie logo is back baby! Like Batman & Robin, Han Solo & Chewbacca, Woody & Buzz or Sterlo & Bert… some things just go well together. The James Hardie logo is synonymous with the most successful era of the Parramatta club and fits beautifully on the chest of the new kit. Plus, after years of selling retro 1980’s kits adorned with the James Hardie or HardieFlex logos, now the club can at least get paid by James Hardie for the advertising of the brand on the team’s jerseys!
Dylan in the gold away jersey
Like Alexander the Great returning to Macedonia after conquering the Persian Empire, the predominantly golden away jersey has been resurrected, and its to rapturous applause! The rumour was that the players preferred the white because it’s more comfortable in the heat but is that really more important than your loyal supporter base looking at their golden best on a frigid June night on O’Connell Street?
The colour of the golden jersey is vibrant, contrasting perfectly with the navy blue bands around the sternum. Although the design is different, the distribution of gold to blue is reminiscent of the famous 1981 away jersey. It’s a clean look, suitable for wearing to games, to the shops and possibly even formal occasions such as weddings (please check the dress code on the invite before doing this).
Dylan Brown, Charlie Guymer and Will Penisini look terrific in the social media releases of the new jerseys. If they look half as good on the field as they did in those clips, it will be a 3 way tussle for Dally M player of the year honours between those lads in 2025.
The Bad
If I had to nitpick, it would be this. It appears the slightly awkward collar from the 2024 jerseys has been retained. The collars on the Macron Parramatta jerseys have been a bit patchy over the past four years. I still have nightmares about the 2022 home and away jerseys, where the collars rode up my neck leaving me looking like I was wearing a Brent Tate neck brace. The robust collars on these jerseys may have a practical benefit to the players on the field but they don’t always work for supporter wear. Really though, this is a minor quibble on what is a hugely positive release.
Verdict
Home: Although the jury is still out on the largely navy home strip from last year, the updated look with the James Hardie logo makes this a buy for me. Then again, as someone who collects Parramatta jerseys, I’m unlikely to ever recommend anything else.
For the cynics among us, there is a romance attached to the joy of being able to wear the same jersey that’s being worn by your favourite team on the field on any given day. That connection is tangible, it identifies you and your fellow fans as being part of something larger and something above the differences that can occasionally separate us on a day to day basis.
Dylan in the Blue home jersey
Away: Like Apple stock in 2003, this is a strong recommendation to BUY. I will personally be running, not walking to buy this jersey. After four years in the white jersey wilderness, we are back baby!
Overall, as a fan of tradition I am quite happy with the 2025 jerseys. The major sponsor looks lovely on the front of the jersey and the club has listened to the fans and brought back the traditional golden away strip.
What’s Next?
For those of you who aren’t quite satisfied with what you have seen and still have a jersey itch that needs scratching, rest easy.
Since taking over the manufacturing of Parramatta jerseys in 2021, Macron have released a minimum of 5 different jerseys per season. The list can be found below:
2024: Home, Away, Heritage (2001 inspired), Anzac, Indigenous
2023: Home, Away, Alternate, Anzac, Indigenous
2022: Home, Away, Alternate, Anzac, Indigenous
2021: Home, Away, Alternate, Anzac, Indigenous
Using this four year sample size, it’s a fair assumption that further jersey options will be made available over the coming months to those who wish to spend a little more of their hard earned on an undeniably stylish blue and gold ensemble.
I have personally found the Parramatta Anzac jerseys of recent years to be some of my favourite designs of the Macron era.
From the catwalks of Milan to the motorways of Merrylands, you’ll turn heads in a brand new Parramatta jersey.
I will leave you with this thought; if you happen to be walking down the street and see a fellow fan wearing a Parramatta jersey, don’t be afraid to politely acknowledge their choice of garment. It could be as simple as a knowing glance or a slight nod of the head, or a subtle fist pump.
The jerseys that we wear as fans are a large part of what keeps us connected as a fan base.
Blue & Gold Forever!
Chris Ricketts
I’m going to go against the grain here, but I loved the white jersey.
Each to their own Brett. I loved the old hooped jersey. The only issue with that was the colour of the sponsor logo.
I also liked the hooped jerseys. Im one of those guys who isn’t fussed by jersey designs or colour schemes, except I like them to be as simple as possible. Pro Hart like designs I don’t like. I like a balance between tradition and commercial imperatives. My ideal scenario is a predominantly blue, I prefer a slightly darker shade than royal blue, for our home jersey, the gold jersey as our primary away jersey, and those two never or rarely change, with a third jersey with the same template but completely different colour scheme that is never used at home or for finals and never on free to air TV, used a maximum of three road games a year.
I’m also one for sticking with the same jerseys.
Brett that’s not like you to go against the grain!
I am with you I like the white jersey also.
Having said that I really like the new home jersey.
Bring back Royal Blue.
Rumoured release of another jersey in march or April and a winter release of the classic 86 jersey.
Looking forward to the other releases
Jerseys should always be linked to tradition / history for me. Many of the most successful clubs (all sports) do not alter their colours.
Happy with these two jerseys….just remember people that if its a Macron to purchase larger sizing.
Virtually every major European soccer club has a 3rd jersey with a completely different colour scheme. Same in the four major US leagues.
I’m happy for our home away jerseys to remain B&G, but a 3rd jersey to ge used only occasionally with a completely different colour scheme is great.
Cheers Brett
I’m talking colours bud….
Everyone can picture Liverpool / Man U / Kidderminster Harriers 😃
Got me there, lol !!!
Nothing wrong with tradition in jerseys Milo.
I’d prefer the old hooped too mate but guess I’m out voted these days…
Next thing would be for the club to decide on its colours and stick to them. Don’t let the jersey designers try to “adjust” the colours. I do like these jerseys though, and they would have to be the best home and away jerseys we have had for some time.
Agreed Longfin.
Why in any sense of decency would our club associate itself with a company that chose to knowingly expose its employees, many of whom were Parra fans, to a vile and toxic substance that led to thousands exposed to their products contracting mesothelioma and dying agonising deaths? In doing so they willfully lied about the knowledge of their products and tried to escape any liability by restructuring their business overseas. Fortunately they were dragged kicking and screaming to the compensation courts.
Just shameful we have chosen to again associate with this horrible company.
Because their money is as good as anybody else’s.
They should be using ANY money they have to relieve the suffering of those affected, rather than try and whitewash (or blue & gold wash) their despicable historical corporate behaviour.
Parramatta Eels is a strong brand that should have been able to attract strong sponsorship income.
I am very partial to the hooped design as it triggers the earliest memories of my beloved Eels, i.e. the early/mid 70’s. Several years back when it was more or less reprised, the general fan reaction was not great. I loved it. The new designs home/ away also look really great. I’d prefer solid yellow bands on the home jersey though
I agree that I’d prefer solid yellow bands on the home jersey. Unfortunately they’re stuck with the design for two years. Next season we will see a new design for the home jersey.
The colour of the Blue Jersey is Royal Blue. Sixties, your favourite team Melbourne Storm wear Navy Blue.
There was a gold Jersey in 2022 and 2023