NRL Grand Final: Half Parramatta half Penrith fence shows family’s club divide

It’s the premiership ‘de-fence’ that can’t be broken. What were once the pristine pickets of a long suffering North Shore dad are now the saloon doors to a household divided.

For Dave, Parramatta tragic and Castle Cove father-of-three, his brush was forced by the constant barbs from his two eldest Panther-loving sons.

“When the Eels and Panthers won the prelims, we were all in the grand final spirit and we just felt like painting the fence,” he said.

For the family of five, Dave and his wife Natalie and their three young sons Ewan, Patrick and Joey, there were careful negotiations about which colour to emblazon the pristine white fence in. They eventually plumped for a half-and-half colour scheme, signifying the club divide that splits the family in two.

“We headed off to Bunnings with my Parra hat and Patrick’s Penrith jersey, they did the colour matching, and we did the rest over a few hours on Sunday afternoon.”

As a youngster, Dave rode his father’s coat-tails during the Eels’ glory days, when the likes of Sterlo and Pricey ruled the golden west. It’s a luxury his own boys are yet to experience.

(L-R) A house divided: nine-year-old Ewan, his mum Natalie, three-year-old Joey, six-year-old Patrick and dad Dave at the family’s half and half gate. Picture: Julian Andrews

“We like Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards,” said nine-year-old Ewen, before letting the panther out of the bag. “And Penrith always wins.”

A colourful scar on the peaceful northern suburbs street, the gate has caught the attention of many.

Who can cheer loudest for their team? Deafening calls of “Parra” and “Panther” reverberate around North Sydney. Picture: Julian Andrews

“Some people said I’ve been sitting on the fence, someone else thought it was a tribute to Ukraine,” Dave said.

“But most people get it, and it’s stirred up a fair bit of support for rugby league and excitement for grand final week in this part of the world, which is good.”

When asked if council would approve an even bigger half and half paint job, Dave wryly said with it being the two grand final teams it would “probably be a complying development”.

Without three-year-old Joey, who roars “Go Eels” whenever dad demands, Dave and his two Panther cubs will be part of Sunday nights Accor Stadium sellout.

“I was there for the heartbreak in 2001 and 2009 – I’ve been looking forward to the next opportunity,” Dave said.

“Although I didn’t think I’d be cheering against my own kids in a grand final!”

As for which side of the gate is touched up in premiership winning colours on Monday morning, Ewen refused to show any remorse.

“I’ll hug grandad if the Eels lose, but not Dad,” Ewan said.

“But there’s zero chance the Eels are going to win. We’ll need to go to the shop on Monday to get more black paint!”