Favourite eels moments your top 5

Now this need not be actual football moments but rather moments when it felt great to be an Eels fan or an Eels moment that will never be forgotten. Here's my top 5:1. The final moments of the 1981 Grand final. Ding dong etc2. The street parade through Parramatta on the Thursday night before the 1976 decider. Ray Higgs leading the Parra chant in the middle of the street.3. The 2009 grand final qualifier against the Dogs. What an atmosphere and that great photo of Ben Smith celebrating is one of my fave pics of all time.4. Having Keith Campbell, an international player at the time, come to my house for drinks on a Saturday night as he was in the process of buying my dad's truck. I'll add in getting to meet lots of other players at my dad's work when I was a kid, like Bob the bear and Barry Rushworth. One of the players dad worked with took my autograph book to training and I had about all of the signatures for 3 grades.5. The first game at Parra stadium. The big welcome home sign being unfurled after all those years at Belmore.How about your favourite moments?

"I think with the current speed of the game and the increasing amount of HIA's I really think having a 6 man bench which all 6 can be used during the game at the coaching discretion is the way to go. If the game was slower ( get rid of repeat sets)…"

Replies

slip August 18, 2014 at 11:39pm

I'm going to mention 5 besides GF's (not in any order):

1) Smashing Sharks 74-4 in 2003.
2) 1986 National Panasonic Cup win against Balmain
3) 1984 Final Win against St George trailing 7-4 with 2 to go, but getting out of jail as Ray Warren put it with his commentary when Kenny threw a ball out to Grothe who scored in the corner winning the game 8-7.
4) 2009 dream run to the Grand Final with Hayne on fire.
5) Qualifying for the finals in 1997, because it was the first time since 1986. Finally the Eels were back playing finals football.

I'm sure there are plenty more, but there 5 I can recall right now.
- Edge of Bear > slip August 19, 2014 at 10:27pm
  
  I was at that 1984 final as an 8 year old. Three decades later and no match day experience has even come close.
sixtiesboy August 19, 2014 at 8:02am

Can anyone attach that pic of smith after the dogs game in 2009? Couldn't find it in google search.
The Badger August 19, 2014 at 8:12am

1: 1981: Graeme Atkins running away from my seat at the SCG to score under the posts - I knew we had it won then.

2: 1973: As wooden spooners defeating the premiers (Manly) 10-0 at Cumberland. Boy was I a proud kid that day.

3: 1977: Giving Neville Glover sh*t about dropping that pass in 1976 GF. I knew him and it was some friendly banter at a mutual mates party. He took it quite well and we all had a few laughs.

4: 2001: The whole of the season except the GF. It was a great ride up until then.

5: 1986: Winning the GF for Pricey and the Crow. Great feeling.
- Alek O'Connor > The Badger August 19, 2014 at 8:58am
  
  1."09" preliminary final against dogs
  2. Defeating the knights 50-0 in Newcastle
  3.smashing manly in the qualifying final in "05"
  4.beating St George in the "09" qualifying final
  5.smashing cronulla 74-4 in"03"
- sixtiesboy > The Badger August 19, 2014 at 8:59am
  
  I remember it looked like Atkins was running on the spot. His running style was lots of little strides. Poor Neville. He was a favourite of mine. I remember a game at Leichardt when he had a runaway try disallowed when a player running in support was tackled by a chasing tigers player. Hartley called it an obstruction! Was that the game that the lady came onto the field? I think it was.
- coco > The Badger August 19, 2014 at 7:05pm
  
  nev is one of natures gentieman.
sixtiesboy August 19, 2014 at 9:02am

I miss those games where we smash the opposition. It can be enjoyable to watch a match without the tension of a close result!
The Offside Eel August 19, 2014 at 9:21am

Ok I moved to Australia in 88 when I was4 so never seen a premiership. So my 5 are

1- 2005 game vs dragons smith scores 3 tries, wade mckinnon scoring a length of the field try while there was a punch up happening. Whole crowd booing barett every time he touched the ball

2. 09 major semi the crowd the noise the atmosphere. Also a complete team effort.

3. Beating the touring great Britain team in 93. Aswell as lee odenryan beating martin offiah in a foot race.

4. Coming from 20 points down at half time rd 1 2008 vs the dogs.

5. 2000 semi final series unknown players like pat richards, dennis moran, pj marsh playing out of their skins fell one game short of the gf.

I'm sure I'm forgetting a few others but they are the best of the top of my head.
Bailey Beckhaus August 19, 2014 at 9:28am

1. Making the 2009 grand final after beating the bulldogs

2. Mitch allgood punching steve matai

3. Getting rid off matt keating

4. Jarryd Hayne single handly won SOO for NSW

5. Wining the 4 grand finals in the 1980s