In pictures: Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels NRL semi-final, rivalry

It was a game for the ages and touted as one of the best of the NRL season. Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels semi-final in pictures.

It was as memorable as it was controversial - Penrith’s two point win over old rivals Parramatta for a spot in next weekend’s preliminary final.

Penrith held out Parramatta to win the match 8-6, with both sides scoring a try apiece.

It was Nathan Cleary’s penalty goal just before halftime which proved the difference and sent Penrith to their match-up with Melbourne Storm on Saturday.

The smiles say it all. Happy Panthers after the win.

Bryce Cartwright shows the highs and lows of sport.

Isaiah Papali'i of the Eels is tackled during the NRL semi-final played in Mackay.

Clint Gutherson finds himself surrounded by black jerseys.

Nathan Cleary kicked the penalty which made all the difference in the game.

Parramatta gave everything in the game while Blake Ferguson gave his boots to a fan.

It was in Mackay but there were still fans in the crowd.

Devastated Eels players after their season ended.

There was plenty of feeling in the match between western Sydney rivals, Penrith and Parramatta.

GREG ALEXANDER ON PENRITH V PARRAMATTA RIVALRLY

Penrith Panthers great Greg Alexander remembers how badly he and his teammates always wanted to beat western Sydney rivals, the Parramatta Eels, in his playing days.

The two big teams from the heartland of rugby league in Sydney’s west - and the closest geographically in the NRL - meet in Mackay in the elimination semi-final this weekend.

And the match is expected to be as hard fought as any this season.

Alexander, now 56, played in the 1980s and 1990s, lining up for the Penrith Panthers between 1984 and 1994, going to the Auckland Warriors between 1995 and 1996 and then rejoining the Panthers between 1997 and 1999.

Nathan Cleary will be key to the Panthers success.

WHEN PENRITH V PARRAMATTA RIVALRY WAS AT FEVER-PITCH

In his early days at Penrith, Alexander described the Parramatta Eels as “the giants of the game’’.

“And we weren’t,’’ Alexander said of the golden era of the Eels who won premierships in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1986.

“We were battling. There was a fierce rivalry between the teams but it was more centred around how we felt.

“They didn’t worry about us so much but we were always striving to beat them because they were the benchmark.

Sean Russell of the Eels is tackled in a rounds game between the rivals.

“The rivalry was more tilted towards us. We wanted to be them. We wanted to be better than them. That spilt over to the fans and that’s what rivalry is about, the fans.

“All the people my age detested Parramatta.

“It is normally the one that is driving to beat them that hates more. There is envy.’’

DOES PENRITH PARRAMATTA RIVALRY IN NRL STILL EXIST?

But Alexander believes the feeling between the two teams is somewhat less heated now.

“The game in the modern era, it’s not so tribal any more. I’m sure the players don’t feel the animosity. That’s what has gone, that real hate has gone. I think it is a new era now,’’ he said.

“But I still chat to guys my age who would rather see anyone win than Parramatta. But that’s my era.

“Following the game has changed, it’s not that personal battle that was back then. But there is still a rivalry.’’

Alexander is still tipped a ripper of a game this weekend.

“It will be physical because of what is on the line,’’ he said.

“There will be a bit extra. It has changed from 40 years ago but there will still be feeling.

“Penrith have been favourites to win and the Eels will be separate to show they have it in them.

“It will be a classic.’’

There will be plenty of feeling in the match this weekend.

PANTHERS V EELS: BATTLE TO BE ‘KING OF THE WEST’ SAYS NATHAN HINDMARSH

Nathan Hindmarsh says the rivalry between Penrith and Parramatta is a turf battle and for a much-prized mantle in sport - king of the west.

“Penrith and the Panthers are the two big western Sydney sides and it’s territorial between them,’’ said former Eels captain and Parramatta Hall of Famer Hindmarsh.

“It’s the battle for the king of the west title and everyone wants to win that.

“There is juice in there.

“You always want to be the best team in your area and for these two, that’s western Sydney.

“It’s true rugby league heartland out there with fans who eat and sleep rugby league.”

Penrith is coming of an upset loss to South Sydney and Parramatta from a thrilling win over the Newcastle Knights secured with a late penalty try.

The match is critical, with the winner advancing into the preliminary final against Melbourne Storm in Brisbane.

Nathan Cleary attracts plenty of attention form the opposition.

“It’s do-or-die, there are no second chances. I love it, this sudden-death. I like the cutthroat nature of it,’’ Hindmarsh said.

“This is going to be an exciting game. Both are ready for a good game.’’

The rivalry between the clubs is steeped in history and also in the close contact between young players from both Parramatta and Penrith.

In many instances these NRL hopefuls grow up near each other, play each other at opposing schools and at times, even with each other in schoolboy teams before heading to the rival clubs and their junior programs.

Eels fans are drawn mainly from the Parramatta and Hills District and they train at their base in Kellyville.

Penrith’s catchment extends to the Blue Mountains and beyond into regional areas including Bathurst.

The match between these two rivals form Sydney's west is expected to be a ripper.

NRL HISTORY BETWEEN PENRITH AND PARRAMATTA BEFORE THE SEMI

Since Penrith entered the competition in 1967, the two clubs have only met in finals twice. The last being in the 2000 season where Parramatta defeated Penrith 28-10 in the elimination final.

1985 and 2000 Eels beat Penrith in both semi-final outings.

ALL TIME MATCH HISTORY BETWEEN PENRITH AND PARRAMATTA

117 matches played, 65 wins for Parramatta, 51 wins for Penrith, 1 draws.

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Originally published as In pictures: Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels NRL semi-final, rivalry