NRL 2020: Parramatta forced to turn away thousands of fans for Wests Tigers clash
Everyone loves a winner — especially when you’ve waited 34 years. But for Parramatta fans, getting that winning feeling live has just got that bit tougher. Find out who is in the box seat for tickets.
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Everyone loves a winner — especially when you’ve waited 34 years.
High-flying NRL competition leaders Parramatta will be forced to turn away thousands of fans from next Thursday night’s match against Wests Tigers at Bankwest Stadium due to unprecedented demand for tickets.
And there will be at least another 10,000 to 12,000 fans from the blue and gold army told to stay away next month.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal 3500 ticketed members will be told this week they are not permitted to attend the Eels-Tigers match at Bankwest Stadium due to the government’s 25 per cent stadium capacity restrictions.
Eels management sent out expressions of interest via email for the game to the club’s 20,000 ticketed members. A whopping 10,000 fans were seeking tickets to watch their on-fire team.
It left Parramatta management having to cut off the offer early then hold a ballot to determine who can attend.
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The official term is “oversubscribed”.
Bankwest Stadium’s current capacity for NRL matches sits at 7500, including 1000 corporate partners sitting on the eastern side.
Eels officials claim excitement over Parramatta’s chances this season is showing in extreme ticket interest.
And three successive home games at Bankwest Stadium next month will present further issues for Eels officials in terms of how many members want tickets.
Parramatta plays St George Illawarra on August 14, Melbourne on August 20 and then South Sydney on August 27. Each game would have sold out had COVID-19 not affected the NRL.
Interest in the three games is expected to be immense and thousands of fans, who have waited for a title since 1986, will again miss out.
“Our members have been tremendous this year and this overwhelming response is typical of the great support they show our club,” Parramatta CEO Jim Sarantinos said.
“Importantly, with our partners at Bankwest Stadium and the great support from the NSW government, we have created a COVID-safe environment with the strongest protective measures.
“This plays a big role in making sure our members and partners feel safe and welcome for our games.”
Officials have cut off the offer due to demand and also the NRL’s COVID-19 protocols at venues. It takes about a week for the club to logistically allocate tickets.
Every member that attends must be registered and have their mobile phone number logged. A seating plan will be based around social distancing restrictions.
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The Eels have lost just one game this season and are outright first on the competition ladder.
Club management would have offered seats to non-ticketed members had the initial demand been low.
The TAB has Parramatta second favourite ($4) for the NRL premiership behind the Sydney Roosters ($3.25). Parramatta is paying $2 to make the grand final.
Under head coach Brad Arthur, Parramatta travels to Brookvale for Saturday’s match against rival Manly.
EELS LOCK IN FINAL PIECE OF SPINE PUZZLE
Fatima Kdouh
The Parramatta Eels have locked-up the final piece of their spine puzzle, re-signing rising hooker Reed Mahoney until the end of season 2022.
It’s understood the Canterbury Bulldogs reached out to Mahoney and had a preliminary discussion to gauge his interest but the young hooker was always intent on staying at the Eels.
In a decision the Bulldogs would now live to regret, the Belmore club actually allowed Mahoney to walk away back in 2016 to join cross-town rivals, the Eels. Canterbury had signed Mahoney as a teenager but he was cut loose to join the Eels in 2017.
Mahoney, who was off contract at the end of the season, agreed to a two-year extension with the club on Tuesday afternoon.
The 22-year old’s signature means the Eels spine of fullback Clint Gutherson, halfback Mitchell Moses and five-eighth Dylan Brown will all remain at the club at least until the end of season 2022.
“I’m really pleased Reed will remain with our squad. His game has continued to develop and he’s a great person to have around the club,” coach Brad Arthur said.
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As well as building a reputation for being a tenacious character on the field, Mahoney also spends plenty of time away from the field doing volunteer work.
Parramatta’s general manager of football Mark O’Neill believes Mahoney is the kind of player that helps to elevate a club’s culture.
“Reed is an obvious talent on the field, but equally what he does off the field is of great significance to the culture we are instilling at the Eels. We look forward to his continued development as we strive for further success.”
After suffering a broken foot back in round two before the COVID-19 forced break in March, Mahoney has returned to the paddock in fine form and alongside Gutherson has helped drive the Eels to the top of the NRL ladder.
Mahoney made his NRL debut for Parramatta in round 14 in 2018 and his career has gone from strength to strength. In December 2019 he was named in the Queensland Maroons squad and earmarked as a potential long-term dummy half replacement for veteran Cameron Smith.