NRL Fan Fest: Panthers, Eels and even a few Roosters show their club pride
Fans of all stripes put their differences aside to come celebrate the sport at Sydney’s Martin Place ahead of the NRL grand final. See the pictures.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Sydney CBD was teeming with colour on Wednesday as the first day of the NRL Fan Fest kicked off.
Fans from every club made the trek to Martin Place to meet their favourite players, listen to live music and kick some virtual footballs.
There were player appearances from different teams every hour. Roosters and West Tigers fans rubbed shoulders for the first part of the morning as they lined up to meet the players. Titans, Knights and Broncos players made appearances later in the afternoon.
It was the perfect opportunity for families divided in loyalty to come together. Vince Ripepi made a day of it with his wife and two kids, Romeo, 3, and Aria, 5.
A Parramatta Eels fan since childhood, Mr Ripepi had come to celebrate his team in preparation for Sunday’s grand final.
Although his wife is a Roosters fan, the 35-year-old father hoped his two kids would grow up to be Eels supporters.
“We often take them to watch the game,” he said. “They just love it.”
Hannah Maher, 14, was at Fan Fest to support the Panthers. She had even managed to convince her friend Brooke Challenor, 14, an avid Eels fan to wear a Panthers jersey for the day.
“I didn’t have my Eels jersey with me and she said I needed to wear one,” Ms Challenor said.
“It’s fine for now, but I’ll get serious on grand final day.”
Even the babies were dressed up. Hannah Cochrane and her 14-month-old son Bobby were both sporting the Eels yellow and blue.
Ms Cochrane has been an Eels fan for 22 years.
“I had a rough patch in 2006 where I thought I was a Bulldogs fan,” she said.
“My best friend was one and I wanted to rebel against my dad.”
As for little Bobby, Ms Cochrane hopes he will grow up to be an Eels supporter.
“His father goes for the Dragons, but I hope Bobby makes the right decision.”
NRL Fan Fest runs until Friday September 30.
MULLETS, TATTOOS AND GIFTED SHOES: MEET THE PANTHERS’ SUPERFANS
The mood was electric at Penrith’s BlueBet stadium on Tuesday, as Panther’s fans gathered to watch their team train in the lead up to Sunday’s NRL grand final.
Players were welcomed by a sea of black jerseys. Kids stood on tiptoes, screaming the names of their favourites.
Huge cardboard cut-outs of Cleary, To’o and Luai were held up by the crowd.
There was a sense of religious fervour as the team came to greet the fans and sign autographs.
Penrith winger Brian To’o took off his shoe and gave it to eleven-year-old Effie. She had tears in her eyes.
“I love him … I love Bizza so much,” she said, using To’o’s nickname.
“It was amazing to see him today … I’ve been a Panthers fan since I was born.”
There were plenty of mullets on display too.
Four-year-old Logan Klauze has been rocking his hairdo since last year’s grand final when his team took out the premiership.
This year his mullet is even longer and he’s even more excited for his team to win.
Logan’s mother Shanaee Klauze has been taking him to watch the Panthers play ever since he was born.
“We started taking him to the stadium from about 2-months-old,” said Ms Klauze.
“It was just after he’d had his first needles as a baby.”
“Go Panthers!” Logan yelled at the top of his lungs.
He was rewarded for his passion by fullback Dylan Edwards, who came over to give Logan his shoe.
It wasn’t just the kids who were getting into it. Penrith superfan Simone Waters was at the stadium celebrating her 50th birthday.
For Ms Waters there was no better way to pass the half century mark.
“I’ve loved the Panthers all my life,” she said.
“The team means everything to me, especially when we won in 1991. That’s when I got my first tattoo.”
Ms Waters had immortalised Penrith’s ‘91 victory against the Canberra Raiders in ink on her arm. This year she plans to add another tattoo to celebrate the Panthers should they win the premiership.
Some fans travelled hours to be there. Brother and sister Zac, 10 and Madison de Marzi, 7, did a five hour round trip from Newcastle with their friend Hendrix Constable, 8 to see the players train.
Zac has been a diehard Panthers fan since he was born, while his sister goes for Newcastle. He hopes watching Penrith in the final will convince her to change allegiance.
Eight-year-old Hendrix has watched every Panthers game this season and can’t help but feel nervous for them as they prepare to take on the Parramatta Eels.
“When I watched their finals against the Rabbitohs I had to go to my room,” he said.
“I just got too nervous for them.”
When the players left the field most were missing their shoes, having given them away to their adoring fans. To’o had lost the most clothes, taking the shirt off his back to give to some kids.
Fans left the stadium grinning from ear to ear, ready to go to the NRL Fan Fest at Martin Place in the CBD on Wednesday.
The festival will have NRL and NRLW grand Final teams, skills challenges and more than $50,000 in prizes.
Join the conversation
Blitz on new homes as defects found in half of houses
One in two freestanding homes that have undergone a building inspection during construction or after completion in the past year have been found to have defects.
Read more
PM’s Budget power play: $150 for electricity bills
The Albanese government will spend $1.8bn on what it claims is a ‘responsible’ cash splash aimed at easing the cost of living, as Labor rushes to prepare an unexpected Federal Budget.
Read more