All the fans at the Parramatta Eels vs Dolphins 2024 NRL match at TIO Stadium
Fans packed into a crowded TIO Stadium for a try fest of an NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Dolphins. Check out full gallery of fan photos.
Northern Territory
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NRL fans came from far and wide braving the steamy conditions to a sell-out Friday night rugby league game between Parramatta Eels and the Dolphins.
The Darwin community, interstaters and even fans from further abroad crowded into a packed TIO Stadium for the annual Top End NRL fixture.
The only person not there was Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett, though it was his side that burst to life in the second half.
Redcliffe-born Jeremy Little switched his allegiance to the Dolphins when his home side joined the comp in 2023, and was ecstatic to have them come to the place he now calls home, Darwin.
“I live in Darwin, but being born in Redcliffe I finally got to follow the Dolphins when they joined the NRL, because you always want to follow your home town team,” Mr Little said.
“I went for the Canberra Raiders before, and still have a bit of soft spot for them, but they’re not the Phins.
“This is brilliant, obviously we get an NRL game every year, but to have the team you follow come up is pretty great.
“You can see how great this is for Darwin by the packed car park, the amount of people who are here, we had to get our tickets early, because they’re all gone.”
Malachi Soromon from Vanuatu is a long time Eels supporter, but it was only on his visit to Darwin that he and his mates got to see the Parramatta side play live for the first time.
“This is my first time seeing them live, I don’t come here often and last time we didn’t get to see them, this is great,” he said.
Justine Clason wasn’t originally an Eels supporter, but her other half’s passion for the side and her want to support a Territory side won her over.
“I’m here to support the Eels, because they’re our Territory Eels and I’m a Territorian,” she said.
“Rugby League is huge, it’s about as big as AFL now, and to see everyone coming together and just having a great, fun time at the game is awesome for the Territory.”
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Originally published as All the fans at the Parramatta Eels vs Dolphins 2024 NRL match at TIO Stadium
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