In my time supporting the Eels, the team has made it to two Grand Finals - 2001 and 2009.
The one which I have the fondest memories of is 2009.
You would have been forgiven for thinking the Parramatta Eels were going to finish Season 2009 with the wooden spoon. Halfway through the season we were languishing at the bottom of the NRL ladder... and then BANG... our run to the Finals began.
The victory which started the magic run to the Grand Final was over the Bulldogs - we defeated them 27-8 and then defeated them once again 22-12 late in the season to cement our position in the top 8. That game against the Bulldogs was the beginning of a period where we won 11 of 12 of the rest of the regular season..
When we lost to St Illawarra 37-0 the week before we were to play them in Week 1 of the Finals, many wrote us off. I know I thought we had played our last game of the season and then the unbelievable happened. We lived another week.
Our next game was against the Gold Coast Titans - could we survive one more week? The answer was yes and we progressed once more.
Every Parramatta Eels fan remembers the next game - the Grand Final Qualifier against the Bulldogs. I have never experienced atmosphere at a Football game quite like it. The banners were raised 'born with bricks and Mortimer', 'when Hayne persists... see your doctor', 'Super Mannah', 'Get off your seating for Keating', 'Hindy Struck' and 'Todd Squad'.
ANZ Stadium was full with a crowd of 74,549 (talk about a lot of people).
We were victorious over the Bulldogs and Grand Final week began.
As a fan, there is nothing more exciting than Grand Final week. We play 26 rounds of football a year, on the sidelines with our teams, all hoping to make it to the big dance. It vindicates the pain of previous years and allows you to say that your team was good enough to make it that year.
I have such fond memories of Parramatta that week. It was painted blue and gold. The whole community was delighted and felt such tremendous ownership over our team of underdogs as well as our seasoned veterans like Nathan Hindmarsh, Nathan Cayless and Luke Burt.
We all know how the game ended. The courageous Eels went down to a Melbourne side later found to be over the salary cap.
What I found most interesting about post-game was how little disappointment I felt. We had come from 3rd last to playing in the Grand Final and I could not possible have been prouder of my team.
That season was absolute magic. At the beginning of the season no one knew who Jeff Robson, Daniel Mortimer, Kevin Kingston and Todd Lowrie were. By the end of the season and that Grand Final, they were our underdogs and had become top grade footballers to the extent that they have now all moved onto other clubs.
So to all the Manly Sea Eagles fans and all the Sydney Roosters fans, enjoy your day tomorrow. Your teams have played some sensational football this year and are both deservedly in the Grand Final.
Here at @LadiesWhoLeague we wish you and your teams the very best of luck and may the best bird win.
Love,
@LadiesWhoLeague
P.S. I also dressed up as 'Super Todd' that game to celebrate my favourite player of that year Todd Lowrie. I thought you might like to see some pictures.
P.P.S I would absolutely love you all to share your Grand Final memories in this blog!
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