Parramatta Eels - If only they would be bottom feeders

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Parramatta eels

Parramatta Eels
If only they would be bottom feeders

The Parramatta Eels were established in 1947. As it is situated in the geographic heart of Sydney, it has always been one of the easier clubs to follow and so has become a financial powerhouse. Yet despite its financial strength, it has only managed four premierships.

Traditionally, its players have preferred to watch the finals series, rather than be involved in them. This is not surprising as with the exception of a golden era in the eighties, the playing style has been about as innovative as a stale loaf of bread.

The Eel logo came in the 1970s after the late sports reporter Peter Frilingos pointed out that the aboriginal meaning of the word 'parramatta' is ‘the place where the eels lie down'. Indeed Parramatta players have laid down far too often!

It would be nice to be able to use fishing terminology and say that Parramatta fans, like their eel moniker, are bottom feeders. Unfortunately, the bottom feeder label belongs to Canterbury fans. Parramatta fans are usually of the generic, middle-class variety; predominantly mullet with the occasional bream.

Attending Parramatta games is indeed a depressing experience. There is a distinct lack of toothless grins, mullets, facial hair, tattoos and beer guts. Instead, there is an oversupply of short back and side hairstyles. Considering that Parramatta was established as a penal colony, there is no doubt that the regions pioneer's would be turning in their grave about how generic it has become.

But there does seem to be some light on the horizon. The club has recruited a host of players with shocking hair styles. Oddly, these shocking hairstyles seems to be strangely correlating with a rise up the ladder. In Fuifui Moimoi, the club has unveiled one of the worst mullets in the history of humanity. In Aaron Canning, it has a player with an Afro that is a throwback to the 1970s. And finally in Nathan Hindmarsh, it has a power forward with a Prince Valiant hairstyle, and an uncanny habit of mooning people.

Such charisma has not been seen at the club since the days of Eric Grothe Snr. With luck, Eels fans may be inspired to grow a little hair, have a little fun and stop being so mundane.

Roy Morgan research

2004- when compared to other NRL supporters

29% more likely than the average person to be aged 25-34;
18% more likely to say they are concerned about their cholesterol level;
32% more likely to say they often enter competitions run by newspapers, magazines and radio stations;

2006 - When compared to other NRL supporters

24% more likely to earn under $10,000

35% more likely to be parents of children under two years of age
23% more likely to have used a TAB to place a bet in the last three months

Icon

Eric Grothe - Tough winger who sported a beard that him resembling a cross between truckie and a chinaman.
Peter Stirling - Balding half-back from the Eels' golden era in the eighties.
Ray Price - Bearded Lock
Brett Kenny - Five eight who forged a lethal partnership with Stirling. Impressive moustache.
Mick Cronin - Centre
Steve Ella - Innovative centre who would always do the unexpected. Almost impossible to coach against.

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