Parramatta Eels fans celebrate NRL grand final week 2022

After a gruelling Covid pandemic, these dedicated Westmead Hospital nurses and partners are embracing Grand Final week and a friendly dose of rivalry.

After enduring Covid pandemic, dedicated Westmead Hospital nurses Natalie Tasioulas and Glen Gomez always had their beloved Eels and Panthers to support and are embracing celebrations during grand final week ahead of watching the big dance on Sunday.

“It’s been a tough year,’’ Ms Tasioulas, 28, said.

“Just being able to come back into normal life and attend the games was good, especially when society was in isolation and we were still going to work.’’

She met her partner, also a neonatal intensive care nurse, at work and while they both grew up in the Eels’ heartland of Greystanes, they now call the Penrith suburb of St Marys home.

And the pair predicts their home could filled with a bit of tension as the battle of the west gets under way.

“All my mates went for Parramatta as a kid so I wanted to be different,’’ Gomez, 35, said.

Tasioulas added: “When we have kids there’s going to be this big debate.’’

The Catt family of St Clair also lives in Panthers territory but blue and gold courses through their veins, including Colyton-raised ex-Eels cheerleader Nicole, who was in the troupe in 1992 and 1993.

Penrith Panthers fan Glen Gomez and his Eels-loving girlfriend Natalie Tasioulas. Picture: Richard Dobson

The couple’s enthusiasm was evident as they joined thousands waiting in the 50m deep queues to snap up their grand final T-shirts at Peter Wynn’s Score on Sunday.

“This is my dream,’’ Nicole, 47, said of the showdown.

Her husband was born in Parramatta Hospital and his love for the Blue and Golds continued as he grew up on the south coast.

“When I met my an ex-cheerleader, I had no choice,’’ he said.

“It really took off.’’

If the Eels can nail their offloads and halfback Mitchell Moses continues his fine form, that could deliver Parramatta their first premiership in 36 years, Marcus believes.

Marcus and Nicole Catt with their daughter Charli live on Penrith’s turf but their hearts are in Parramatta. Picture: Richard Dobson

Scott and Carly Wing from The Ponds waited patiently to buy flags and T-shirts at Peter Wynn’s Score.

Scott, 39, was three when the Eels notched up their last premiership but hopes his daughters Emma, 6, and Zoe, 2, can see the Eels cross the line.

Scott Wing and his daughters Emma and Zoe. Picture: Richard Dobson

Ralph Gutherie and his daughter Tiarna soak in grand final week. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I thought this was our year to be honest,’’ Scott said.

“We got to make a go of it this year.’’

Some thrifty fans unable to purchase Eels flags have reportedly ordered Ukraine flags to show their support for Parramatta.

Still supported by a walking stick as he recovers from knee surgery, Peter Wynn got behind the tills at his Church St store, where it has been “mayhem” since the Eels defeated the Cowboys 24-20 on Friday night.

“Everyone wants their blue and gold, especially their grand final T-shirts that’s our biggest seller,’’ he said.

Compared with a regular Saturday, he said turnover was tenfold and does not expect it to abate all week.

“It’s been awesome,’’ he said.

“It’s given the whole area a buzz. I can only reflect back in 2001 when we played against the Knights and 2009 when we played the Storm. It didn’t die down even before kick off. It just went all week.’’

He has enlisted the help of former teammate Stan Jurd to help control the growing queue at the shop, where 2003 premiership winner with Penrith, Rhys Wesser also popped in to say hello and was welcomed despite sporting his Panthers shirt.

“You can see the excitement in the people,’’ Jurd said.

“It’s been hectic. It’s people from all walks of life.’’

Former Penrith Panthers player Rhys Wesser and Parramatta Eels legend Peter Wynn outside his shop on Sunday. Picture: Richard Dobson

Patient crowds are prepared to line up until they buy their merchandise. Picture: Richard Dobson

At Parramatta Leagues Club, multiple generations of families descended on the blue and gold-saturated headquarters.

Winston Hills’ Jason and Rennee McClintock, their children Lucas, 14, and Monique, 8, and grandmother Josephine, 83, are part of the Eels faithful after a lifetime jammed with fond and heartbreaking memories that comes with supporting Parramatta.

Jason recalls seeing his neighbour, Eels legend Brett Kenny, over the fence when the five-eighth lived at Greystanes Rd. He and Rennee witnessed history when the Queen opened Parramatta Stadium in March 1986.

Rennee and Jason McClintock (far left and fourth from left) with his mum Josephine McClintock and their children Lucas and Monique. Picture: Richard Dobson

Now they have brought up their children to be loyal Eels fans.

“We want them to understand why we love them so much,’’ Renee said.

Jason said: “It’s part of the area. We attach our identity to the Eels.

“In 2001 and 2009 when we lost the grand finals, I think that’s another reason why this is so important. There’s added importance to put our dominance over Penrith.

“I think it’s just being part of something bigger than yourself, especially living closer to Parramatta, is everything. It’s a one-team town to one extent.’’

Paul and Lesley Kelly with their daughters Lara and Ella get into the spirit at Parramatta Leagues Club. Picture: Richard Dobson

Their family friends, Glenhaven’s Paul and Lesley Kelly, and their daughters Lara, 13, and Ella, 9, share their passion for the club and are impressed with the team proving doubters wrong.

“The boys have put their heart and soul into everything,’’ Lesley said.

“For Mitchell Moses to play on Friday night knowing he was going to be a father that means everything — we can see their commitment.

“That’s all you can ask’’

Paul added: “For me, being able to watch your team play the last game of the year is fantastic.

“Obviously to win the grand final is going to be an absolute bonus.’’

North Rocks’ Graham and Lynne Cummins are the head of a family that has barracked for Parramatta since moving from the country in 1975.

“We started following Parramatta from there and I was involved in coaching school teams in the area and started attending the Eels games even when they played over at Belmore for three years (while Parramatta Stadium was under construction),’’ Graham said.

“We go to the grand final every year. It will be my 48th, (my son) Jason’s 31st and (grandson) Noah’s seventh but to have your own team in is special.’’

The Cummins family clockwise from top: Nikki, Jason, Lynne Cummins, Graham, Noah, Madison and Jessica. Picture: Richard Dobson

Cumberland Throw supporters group founder Craig Hawkins said the premiership drought had made Eels fans even hungrier for a victory.

“There was unrestrained emotion on Friday night and I would imagine it’s probably going to be tenfold if we can win the grand final because there’s so many people that have never seen an Eels premiership,’’ he said.

“Thirty six years is a long time. I’ve seen grand final wins, I’ve seen the first, but this will almost feel like the first because of the length of time before a premiership.’’

The Eels’ maiden premiership in 1981 saw fans torch Cumberland Oval. Hawkins, 61, was celebrating inside Parramatta Leagues Club while his brother helped ignite the blaze and while the very young CommBank Stadium won’t face the same fate if victory prevails, celebrations will no doubt be delirious.

For those who can’t be at Accor Stadium on Sunday, three giant screens will show the decider in the Parramatta Leagues Club carpark while Parramatta Council is still planning another public screening.

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