Rugby League Grand Final is here...today

I am a closet football fan, I have not really had much time over the last couple of years to pay much attention or to watch the games. It has certainly had its fair share of bad press with the antics of some of the players under an increasing public scrutiny, but I felt it would be more than appropriate to have a small article on the blog to acknowledge the growing fever pitch for the Rugby League team in the suburb I live in. The fans are so happy and the spirit of the place is just happy and fun. The streets, the restaurants, the parks, the malls all have signs and balloons to celebrate their team who have not won a premiership for 20 years.

They are playing in the Grand Final with The Melbourne Storm who have been in the last three Grand Finals and are a seasoned team. They are the favourites whilst Parramatta Eels (so named because Parramatta in aboriginal means - place where the eels lie) are the underdogs, but in Australia, we mostly love the underdogs. There is a lot of people who are so ardent in belief that Parra will win, and I hope they do. No-one is oblivious to the Storms form and performance. Last week they won the game 40-0 against the last team. They are good. But lets hope the Eels can weather the storm. Parramatta Stadium their home ground is literally 5 minutes walk from my house, and they are opening the gates today for die hard fans to watch the game on giant sized screens, as the game is being played in ANZ stadium around 20 mins away. The team, win, lose or draw will return back to the stadium tonight with their fans at around 10pm. I dont think I will be there, but I hope they win.

Go the Eels!



Well, it is another year that Parramatta have to wait to win the premiership. 23 years since they last won and who knows when they will win the premiership again. The cinderella ending was not to be on this years run for Parramatta. Good to get there in the Grand final anyway. Congratulations to have gotten that far boys. There's always next year!!! They did themselves proud.