It was wonderful to be back in the stands watching our team take on our arch rival Manly. There was passion, banter and a “healthy animosity” around the stadium that was more than matched on the field. Parra and Manly…
From The Stands – May 17, 2022: The Eels Ten Week Challenge
Watching the match on the TV last Sunday was a really weird experience for my household. Was it resilience and skill on display in the second half or did it just stack up well against what was a first half…
From The Stands – May 9, 2022: Power, Resilience, Composure
Friday night, the hill, Penrith Park. What a night to be an Eels supporter! My family’s evening on the Riff hill was certainly “interesting”. Being there to witness the encounter first hand, the overriding feeling was one of immense pride.…
From The Stands – May 4, 2022: Expectations
Expectations. When they are let down it’s natural that there will be a reaction. We expected so much more from our Eels last weekend, so the fallout was always going to be widespread. There has been no shortage of discussion…
From The Stands – April 26, 2022: Don’t Believe The Divisive Tripe
Like many Parra supporters, I watched the game against the Knights intently. How would the Eels bounce back and how would they cope with the continual changes in combinations as a result of injuries? As the game progressed it became…
From The Stands – April 20, 2022: Round 6 With Round 2 Vibes
There was a sense of familiarity about losing a match in the final seconds. Even more so when we consider the poor play that led to the opposition’s final possession. It was a reminder that a month isn’t such a…
From The Stands – April 11, 2022: Losing Respect For The NRL
Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. The greatest test of integrity in any sport is equal opportunity for all. Over the first five rounds I have watched a Parra player get broken ribs due…
From The Stands – April 5, 2022: The Story Of Two New Eels Fans
This week I have an extra special story to share with you. It’s about a day at the football that will live in my memory forever. It began with a typical trip to CommBank Stadium, but it became so much…
From The Stands – March 29, 2022: The Uneven Playing Field
“Inconsistent behavior is unpredictable, or may be considered irregular or illogical for the situation, or not keeping with the standards of behavior for a given set of circumstances.” Therefore I applaud the decision handed down by the referee, bunker and…
From The Stands – March 21, 2022: Early Season Form
Like many passionate Blue and Gold supporters I watch every game with anticipation, and despite accepting that it is impossible to play well in every game, I am nonetheless disappointed whenever my team does not aim up. On Saturday, our…