Parramatta Eels meet with fans at player signing on Darwin Waterfront ahead of Broncos clash

Parramatta Eels fans raced to the Darwin Waterfront to meet their NRL heroes ahead of their club’s blockbuster clash against the Brisbane Broncos. SEE THE PHOTOS

Young Parramatta Eels fans Nate and Ryan Burke emptied their wardrobes, including a pair of Dylan Brown boots, in anticipation of meeting their NRL heroes at the Darwin Waterfront.

Nate, 10, and Ryan, 7, have grown up supporting the Sydney club, and seized chance to watch them at Darwin’s TIO Stadium every year.

So, it was only natural they were at the Waterfront on Tuesday for the Eels signing session, with mum Jess Burke in tow.

“My husband is from Sydney and has been an Eel supporter his entire life and his whole family are as well,” Ms Burke said.

“And the boys jump at any opportunity when they’re able to see a game, so with it being up here it certainly makes it easier, saves us having to travel.

“This is something they hang out for every year and they pretty much emptied their entire wardrobe to get signed.

“They make posters every year for the game so they’re definitely ready to go.”

Parramatta Eels player Dylan Brown signing the boots he gave to Ryan and Nate Burke at the end of last years match against the Cowboys. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The boys are particularly big fans of Eels’ halves pairing Dylan Brown and Mitch Moses, with the boys’ dream coming true last year when Brown handed Ryan his boots post-match.

And a year on at the signing session the youngster got those very same shoes signed by the five-eighth who claimed them as his favourite boots.

“At the end of the game last year he walked out to the crowd and gave them to my young fella,” Ms Burke said.

“He had been holding on to them for the whole year waiting for them to come back so he could get them signed.”

The Eels take on the NRL ladder leaders Brisbane Broncos on Friday for what promises to be a thrilling encounter at TIO Stadium.

ALL THE PHOTOS

Maiko Sivo meets with Eels fans Bubuwam and Maria at the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Eels player Dylan Brown at a signing session on the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Jordan Keating and Jr Keating meet Eels captain Clint Gutherson at the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Parramatta Eels meet with fans for a signing session at the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Dylan Brown with a young Parramatta fan at a signing session on the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Eels captain Clint Gutherson at a signing session on the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Eels players Bryce Cartwright and Mitchell Moses sign a ball for a fan on the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Parramatta Eels meet with fans for a signing session at the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Daejarn Asi, Junior Paulo & J’maine Hopgood at the Parramatta Eels signing session on the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Clint Gutherson at the signing session on the Darwin Waterfront ahead of the Eels clash with the Brisbane Broncos at TIO Stadium. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Young Eels fans swarm to take pictures with the Parramatta mascots at the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Young Parramatta Eels fans Tia, Tasianna and Walter at the signing session on the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Hayley and Quinn Palazzi got their Parramatta Eels jerseys signed on the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Trent Blowes, Jess Blowes, Tilly Blowes, Kell Blowes, Natasha Nichols & Vincent Nichols at the Parramatta Eels signing session. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Eels mascots & Ava Appo at the Darwin Waterfront signing session. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Nathan Barber, Tegan Campbell and Evie Barber at the Parramatta Eels signing session. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Junior Paulo signs a jersey for a fan on the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Parramatta Eels meet with fans for a signing session at the Darwin Waterfront. Fans Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Young Parramatta fan Tasianna meets the players at a signing session on the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Nate and Ryan Burke were excited to catch up with the Parramatta Eels during a signing session on the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Geffery Watson, Dale Watson, Tyson Watson and Harry Watson at the Parramatta Eels signing session. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Jordan Keating and Jordan Jr Keating at the Parramatta player signing on the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Will Penisini signing a cap for Ryan Burke at the Darwin Waterfront. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Eels touch down ahead of Darwin NRL blockbuster

Diehard Parramatta Eels fan Wynn Ford travelled over 3000km from the Sunshine Coast to see his side, only to accidentally bump into them at Darwin Airport ahead of their Broncos clash.

The Top End has long been the second home of the Eels and their fans were out in force to greet them when they touched down.

But Mr Ford, who has only been in Darwin once before, didn’t realise when booking his flight that he would be landing just half an hour before his side touched down.

“It was great. We flew in half an hour before them and it was just an accident we were here when they landed,” Mr Ford said.

“This is probably my second trip to Darwin, came up the first time and loved it so as soon as we saw they were coming up here we had to come back.”

Lifelong Eels supporter Wynn Ford accidentally bumped into his club at the airport. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

It has been an up and down season so far for the side which made last year’s grand final, with their current record standing at three wins from seven games.

However, a big 30-4 victory over the Cowboys on Sunday has the side sitting pretty heading into their Round 8 encounter against top-of-the-table Brisbane Broncos this Friday.

Captain Clint Gutherson conceded the match would be a difficult one against the form team, but said there was confidence in his group on the back of consecutive wins.

“We’ve had two wins from the past two weeks and we’re building on the back of that,” he said.

“But we’re up against the form team of the comp so we’re looking forward to testing ourselves and we’re just worried about getting ready to go.

“They’re on top for a reason, they’re playing some great footy and they have some good players in good form, so we’re going to have to be at our best to beat them.”

Parramatta Eels players have touched down in Darwin ahead of their clash with Brisbane Broncos. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The match isn’t all the Eels have on their agenda during their Darwin trip with plenty of school visits and signing sessions planned while they’re in town.

Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown said the squad loved coming to Darwin to interact with the community.

“Darwin is a great place to come, there’s good weather, lots of things to see and the community is great,” Brown said.

“It’s massive for us as players, but the kids and families that see us as well, without them we wouldn’t have a job.

“It’s good to get out of Sydney and switch up the scene, it’s beautiful up here and everyone is so friendly.”