Of all the games I played against Parramatta in the now legendary western Sydney derby, one moment stands out above all.
The last round of 1984, at Penrith Park. We had to win to make the finals. Eric Grothe made a bust down the right touchline and I set off across the field in pursuit. We all knew Grothe’s style – he was the most gifted natural ball runner I have ever seen. He would keep his line and get down low to bump off defenders as they tried to chop his legs from under him.
As I closed in on him I can still remember thinking ‘I’m just about to tackle Eric Grothe’.
When Brandy took down Grothe
My plan was to feign going high before taking him low. I threw all of my 75kg at this giant of a man and knocked him into touch. It worked! The crowd roared. But my greatest moment was cut short when I looked up to see the back of Steve Ella’s head as he planted the ball under the posts. Grothe had passed to Ella before being bundled into touch. Unbelievable. There is something special about Penrith v Parra and Sunday’s season opener will be no different. In those derbies in the 80s, we were Little Brother and the Eels were the stars. They owned us and we were beneath them.
Penrith’s rivalry with Parramatta has always been special.Source: News Corp Australia
We hadn’t beaten them in eight years and I have mates who grew up watching me play and still reserve a special hatred for the blue and gold. We had this inferiority complex, but there is no greater motivation in sport than playing someone regarded as better than you.
The Eels head into round one with speed and strength across the park and some dazzling trial form. We’ve all been told that Hayne is out of shape and overweight, but don’t believe it. Brad Arthur will have him peaking at exactly the right time. The Moses-Norman combination is shaping as one of the most threatening in the competition and Parra’s mobile forwards, led by Nathan Brown, is a key advantage.
Penrith? They need to be confident with the work they’ve done in the off-season and play some footy. I’m not reading too much into the trial loss to the Bulldogs, but the Panthers struggled at times with the ball last year. Maloney’s experience should bridge this gap – he can ball-play or run at any time, which allows Cleary to play his natural game. If Penrith can get their attack right, they’ll be able to hold Parra to a score that secures the win.
Alexander has a huge wrap on young halfback Nathan Cleary.Source: AAP
Penrith as a city is buzzing and there’s a great expectation for us to deliver this year. There’s been off-season drama and we’ve been on the back page of the paper every day, but it counts for nothing when the premiership kicks off.
In my last year of school, Jack Gibson sent me an invite to come and train with the Eels and I jumped at it, because it was easy to idolise the likes of Kenny, Sterling and Ella.
Before my career at Penrith began, I spoke to Denis Fitzgerald about playing for the Eels and while it was very flattering there was only ever one club I would play for. I wanted to show the people of Penrith that we deserved to be in the competition and while they might beat us on their day, we would never be ‘owned’ by the big brother Eels again.
Replies
Good article, thanks vince.
you are welcome Snake. 4 days to go
Nice Vince.
But we do own you Brandy!!! 52-33 record with 1 draw!!!
They don't make videos like this anymore. This was enough to get you pumped to get out to a game!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXIzp0ok24I
my birthday sunday.i will blow out the candles and wish for an eels win
It's funny, I've never been able to hate the Panthers the way I hate the Dogs or Manly. I've always considered games against the Dogs as the real "Battle of the West". I'm a child of the 80's I guess.
I agree. Growing up in the 80's the Panthers were our whipping boys. I actually felt sorry for them at times because the would do so well only to run out of steam at the end. Mind you that chocolate jersey did them no favours. Probably the ony team in the world that wore brown as their main colour.
I too despised the dogs and to a lesser extent Manly but these days I cant stand the Storm. I hate them the most. Maybe we can do a poll on who we hate the most!
Yes i am sure it was about 1999 or so at SFS; we went to the game and Parra won. Also i recall a semi final in 84 or 85. Again we won.
Yep in 1985 and smashed them
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GBbXfO92EQ