Greetings fellow Eels fans, what an exciting time it is for the club at the moment!

As we prepare to kick off our 80th season in Las Vegas next year, we have a new CEO, a new dynamic prop forward with the promise of more signings to come, a new apparel partner and the players have started their pre-season training (all under the expert gaze of TCT’s very own sideline eye – Sixties himself).

Given all of this and especially considering that we expect to shortly be talking about the first drop of official 2027 Adidas Parramatta merchandise, I figured now was as good a time as any to dust off the keyboard and get to work on another rankings exercise.

Because i’m a sucker for punishment, I have decided to grace everyone with a list of my top 10 favourite jerseys in Parramatta Eels first grade history, which as mentioned is entering it’s 80th year this year.

Feedback is a gift, so please feel free to flood the comments section and tell me how wrong I was with my choices!

Before we start, a few disclaimers:

* I am a fanatical jersey collector, having collected jerseys for over 30 years. I currently own over 1000 jerseys across all sports, with around 200 of these being Parramatta jerseys.

* This list is purely compiled from my favourite jerseys. Despite the misleading headline to this article, it’s impossible to objectively state the 10 best jerseys of all time, so these are simply ones which have tickled my fancy over the years. Although I consider myself fairly knowledgeable when it comes to Parramatta jersey history, it’s likely that my tastes could diverge wildly from many others.

* My tastes are influenced by the following:

• • I have a preference for cleaner jersey designs
  • Certain manufacturers just make better jerseys than others. There are commercial reasons why the club might choose to work with a manufacturer, but I am only basing my choices off aesthetics as opposed to the bottom line.
  • I have always had a soft spot for our gold/yellow jerseys which I can’t explain (potentially because they’ve been less common during our history than the traditionally blue jerseys). I fully accept that many of our blue jerseys are more iconic than our gold ones, however my preference has always leaned to the away strips
  • The Eels logo used matters to me, as does the league badge used on the jersey. This becomes particularly relevant as a tiebreaker when a similar design is used across several years (i.e. 1997-2000)
  • As someone who started supporting the club in the 80’s and 90’s, I have a strong preference for cotton jerseys over the polyester jerseys that have been more commonly used from 2001 onwards. They might be more practical for the players, but as a fan I want to feel the warm embrace of cottony goodness

 

Top Three ‘Gimmick’ Jerseys

 

This is a special bonus category. These are my top three ‘gimmick’ or special edition jerseys from across the years. These are jerseys which I couldn’t fit into the top 10, but wanted to call them out for their uniqueness and place in Parramatta’s jersey history.

 

3. 1997 – M&M Jersey, manufactured by Classic

In today’s game, it has become increasingly commonplace for teams to wear special one off jerseys.

Every year there is an Indigenous jersey and often an Anzac jersey and a Heritage jersey.

In 1997, when the Eels partnered with Mars to promote the bland new blue M&M with a special jersey, it was basically unprecedented.

The M&M jersey was an unusual aqua shade of blue and is considered a white whale for collectors.

It’s a shame we lost to our evil rivals from across the Spit Bridge in the only game we ever played in this one.

 

2. 2017 – Yellow Stay Kind jersey, manufactured by X Blade

As I mentioned I typically do not like modern jersey designs, however this is a notable exception.

I have always loved the clean design of the Stay Kind jerseys and preferred the 2017 version to the 2018 jersey as I really liked the 70th anniversary Eels badge that was used for that season.

The combination of limited jersey and special anniversary logo make it unique.

Throw in the fact that this was a very worthwhile charity to support and this jersey was an absolute winner.

 

 

1. 2012 – Nathan Hindmarsh & Luke Burt Testimonial jerseys, manufactured by Burley Sekem

Generally speaking, I wasn’t a fan of the range 2012 jerseys.

Burley Sekem didn’t do a great job as the manufacturer, creating awkward fitting home & away jerseys with a strange collar (although i’ll give a little credit to a decent heritage effort). The only thing I enjoyed less than the jerseys was our on-field performance, as we slumped to a disappointing wooden spoon.

This was a devastating way for two of Parramatta’s greatest ever players to retire, in Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt.

The only bright spot to come out of this season (apart from Hindy pulling out the sand bucket to nail a penalty goal in his final game), were the twin jerseys produced to celebrate the amazing careers of Parramatta’s first and third most capped players.

 

Now that your appetite has hopefully been whet, let’s begin the countdown for the top 10!

My Top 10 Eels Jerseys of All Time

 

10. 2001 – Home jersey, manufactured by Classic

I have mixed feelings about this jersey featuring in my top ten. For many fans who are 35 or younger, this jersey has a lot of sentimental appeal.

In my mind, it represents the death of the cotton jersey, as well as a devastating grand final defeat. I am also a traditionalist and never liked the cartoon Eels logo from 2000-2003 or the slightly less cartoony version that carried us through to 2009.

All of that said, this was a lovely jersey. The 2000’s were unique in that it was the only period when the primarily gold jerseys were worn as a home strip. This jersey was quite clean, with a white chevron serving as a point of demarcation between the blue chest and shoulders and the golden expanse beneath.

The ‘Asics’ logo is large but not out of place given the space it has to work in. The ‘Classic’ logo is subtle and accentuated by the NRL logo, specifically used in the 2000 and 2001 seasons. The 2024 heritage jersey was based on this kit.

 

9. 1986 to 1990 – Home jersey, manufactured by Canterbury

Along with 1981 remakes, this is by far the most regularly worn remake by fans at Parramatta games.

This is the jersey from which much of the next decade’s jerseys were born. The V neck collar, the blue upper half and the predominantly gold bottom half, with the best known of the ‘Hardie’ logos.

This jersey will be forever burned into the consciousness of Parramatta fans by the image of Pricey and the Crow hoisting the Winfield Cup aloft after the 1986 premiership win.

This was also a period where Parramatta only really wore one jersey, meaning this jersey was almost completely synonymous with the era.

 

 

8. 2002 – Heritage jersey, manufactured by Classic

One of the best heritage jerseys ever made, based on the jerseys worn for most of the first 30 years of the club’s history.

Given that historical aspect, they hold a special place in the bears of supporters like Sixties.

If I had mixed feelings about the 2001 jersey for being the first of the polyester era, I have a lot of love for this jersey for being pretty much the last of the cotton era.

These jerseys still hold up very well today and wouldn’t be out of place on the catwalks of Paris or Milan.

 

7. 1994 – Home jersey, manufactured by Canterbury

This was a welcome evolution to the jersey used from 1986 onwards with a stylish collar added and the ‘James Hardie’ font softened.

1994 was a pretty miserable year on the field for the club, but at least the boys looked great while they were losing.

This jersey also has a lot of love out there in Eels supporter land.

Its says something about the Blue and Gold faithful being able to find something that appeals even in dark times.

 

 

6. 1960’s/early 1970’s – Home jersey, manufactured by Classic

In the modern NRL, teams will typically wear a minimum of five different jerseys each season.

In the 60’s and 70’s, jerseys weren’t being monetised in the way they are now and teams would keep the same design for years on end.

The jersey from the 60’s and early 70’s was an absolute banger. A gorgeous blue number with a series of gold hoops covering the length of the body. It is a minimalist look and feel, devoid of the sponsorship logos which would start to creep in from the mid to late 1970’s.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about this jersey is the original Parramatta Eels logo showing two people in a boat in the mangroves, traversing the ‘ place where the Eels lie down’.

The 2018 and 2019 home jerseys were an homage to this glorious kit, as well as the previously mentioned 2002 Heritage jersey.

 

 

5. 1977 – home jersey, manufactured by Westmont

One of the last jerseys produced with the unique spear logo.

This is a jersey from which many of the kits from the early 80’s take inspiration.

V neck, iconic blue with gold stripes n chest and shoulders, capped off with the giant ‘DUX’ logo.

You gotta love that old bold logo.

A lot of the 70s and early 80s jerseys have similarities but I have always been drawn to their simplicity above all else.

 

4. 2004 – Heritage jersey, manufactured by Classic

I can’t quite believe I have a polyester jersey this high on the list but this jersey is the best heritage jersey the club has ever produced hands down.

A stunning homage to the 1981-1983 premiership winning home jerseys, it is some of Classic’s best work.

Although the ‘Asics’ logo is a bit overpowering and I was never a fan of the 2004-2009 Eels logo, the rest of the jersey is basically perfect.

The deep shade of blue is magnificent and it perfectly captures the look and feel of the era.

 

 

3. 1983 – Away jersey, manufactured by Westmont

I may have cheated a little here.

This spot was originally intended for the 1981 premiership winning gold away jersey but given there was so little between the 81-83 away jerseys, I have gone with the niche collector choice.

I have also given a narrow preference to the 1983 version due it having the extremely rare ‘NSWRFL’ badge, a badge only used during the 1983 season and as such a rare jewel for jersey nuts.

The jerseys from all three years have similar characteristics; a gorgeous golden hue,  the ‘Hardie’ sponsorship across the chest framed by a solid blue band, a deep plunging v neck, royal blue stripes across the shoulders and the subtle ‘Westmont’ manufacturer logo above the badge.

This is truly Parramatta jersey nirvana.

 

2. 1978 – Home jersey, manufactured by Westmont

This may be a surprise selection at number two to some, however I have always loved the simplicity of the home jerseys from 1978 – 1980.

James Hardie is the iconic sponsor of the Eels but I always loved the jerseys with the bold ‘FAMOUS’ emblazoned across the chest.

A beautiful, clean, simple jersey with the classic hallmarks of the great Parramatta jerseys.

A dark shade of royal blue, four horizontal stripes by the logo and on the shoulders, it’s a crying shame we never hoisted the premiership trophy in one of these.

 

 

1. 1998 – Away jersey, manufactured by Classic

This and the 1997 away jersey are my favourite jerseys ever.

I will give the 98 edition a narrow win due to the iconic NRL ‘fat patch’ logo being used on the jersey. This was the first year of the NRL badges and I have a slight preference to the big green NRL badge over the Optus badge from the year prior.

In fact, the 1997 to 2000 jerseys are all very similar, however once again my preference goes to the iconic circular Eels logo which was used until the 1999 season.

The jersey itself is a beauty, with a clean yellow aesthetic, offset by a series of royal blue vertical stripes on the stomach and shoulders, all capped off by a lovely collar.

It was my favourite jersey as a teenager, so may be a sentimental pick but i’ll gladly put this forward as my favourite Parra jersey ever.

 

Well that’s it! I really enjoyed this walk down memory lane and am eager to hear which jerseys you think I may have missed in the comments. Now it’s time to start saving in preparation for the Adidas jerseys which we are all waiting to see!

Chris Ricketts