Parramatta Eels slip to Canberra Raiders in final Top End match

From mascots breakdancing at the halftime break and streakers invading the field post match, to diehard fans and a 50-12 scoreline, the final Eels fixture in Darwin had it all.

Raiders trio Dave Hogan, Brian Tipingwuti, Glenn Dawson at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

It wasn’t the send-off the Parramatta Eels were looking for on field as their 12 year love affair with Darwin came to an end, but there was still plenty of support and colour in the crowd for NRL action.

While the result was a 50-12 blowout the way of the Canberra Raiders, the 9559 fans in the stands certainly got their money’s worth in entertainment with action and shenanigans rife on and off the field.

The night had it all - from the junior games at halftime to the ‘mascot games’ that pitted some of the best – or worst – mascots head to head in a dance-off, sprint and kick-off, to pitch invaders getting their 15-seconds of fame post match.

And while for the Parramatta faithful the outcome was poor, the excitement and thrill of NRL in the Top End was on full show.

Parramatta Eels fans Nate, Ryan Burke and Oliver Canilleri at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

Caleb Burke and his family, including sons Nate and Ryan Burke, have become fixtures in the stands for many years and were keen as ever to watch their Eels run out.

“It’s always great to have the game here, but we’re devastated the Eels are leaving, we want them to stay and encourage the government to get them back here,” Mr Burke said.

“We get the same seats every year and coming from New South Wales we’ve supported Parramatta all the way. whether through the hard times or the good.

“We absolutely love them and wanted to send them off on a high.”

A kitted out Melanie Euhus at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

Elsewhere, diehard and lifelong Raiders fan Melanie Euhus was excited to finally don green having worn Broncos apparel for her husband’s team a couple of years back, now it was her turn to watch her team in Darwin.

“I’ve been following them since I was kid, we always went with the team closest and I was born in Yass in New South Wales,” she said.

“It’s great to have them up here, I’ve got all dressed up in the Raiders colours for it and even got my husband in it even though he’s a Broncos fan.”

PHOTOS

Caleb Schatz (left) and his mate painting a goodbye mural for the Eels at their final NRL match in Darwin, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

NRL NT's Daniel Roach and kids at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

Massive Canberra Raiders fan Garth Crowhurst at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

Massive Canberra Raiders fan Garth Crowhurst at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

Eels fans Hannah and Mitchell Byrnes at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

A kitted out Melanie Euhus at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

Parramatta Eels fans Nate, Ryan Burke and Oliver Canilleri at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

Seko, Tom, Tom, Dan Cakau at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

Raiders trio Dave Hogan, Brian Tipingwuti, Glenn Dawson at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

Fans entering the gates at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

It was a busy TIO Stadium during the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

Fans look on before the round six NRL match between Parramatta Eels and Canberra Raiders at TIO Stadium, on April 12, 2025, in Darwin, Australia. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Fans on the hill at TIO Stadium, Darwin. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Fans set up shop on the turf at TIO Stadium for the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

Supporters at ground level waiting for the Eels to run out onto the field at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

Jamal Fogarty of the Raiders prepares to kick the ball in his 100th NRL match at TIO Stadium, Darwin. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

J’maine Hopgood of the Eels passes the ball during the round six NRL match between Parramatta Eels and Canberra Raiders at TIO Stadium. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The 'mascot games' sprint at the halftime break at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

The 'mascot games' sprint at the halftime break at the final Parramatta Eels NRL match in Darwin vs. Canberra Raiders, 2025. Picture: Darcy Jennings

A pitch invader attempts to shake the hand of Luca Moretti of the Eels. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

A second pitch invader, this time shoeless, runs across the field of play after the round six NRL match between Parramatta Eels and Canberra Raiders at TIO Stadium. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Josh Addo-Carr of the Eels keeps security back as a third pitch invader asks for a selfie. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Sebastian Kris of the Raiders poses for a photo with friends and family after the game. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Originally published as Parramatta Eels slip to Canberra Raiders in final Top End match