Today I had the absolute pleasure of experiencing the sheer joy that comes when the football gods play fair. The Script was already written, but some chapters went missing. We had our hurdles losing FERGO, ALVARO and having SUTTON as our referee. But playing at this wonderful stadium, seeing the Ray Price Statue then seeing the great man himself, walking around the stadium, seeing Sterlo Drive in , and Bert Kenny and Mick Cronin shortly after. It was meant to be. We woudlnt get beat today,
The atmosphere was Grand Final Like and to see the smiles on peoples faces and the blue and gold flags being waved after each of the nine tries. Watching King GUTHO rev up the ground upon his return to the opposite end. To hear the parra winning song beam across the ground and witness the feeling is something I will remember forever. To top it off , allowing the punters onto the field is old school but so worth it. Watching kids score tries under the posts is what makes it so great. I had a lazy 20 bucks on MOSES to score a try and Parra to win for $140.00 collect. Only thing left ito top off my perfect day is a naughty from the old girl but I wont tempt fate....
LIFE is tough. Life is not Fair. But today was a reward for the Parramatta supporters who never gave in and always believed..... Thank you football gods.
Replies
Great blog mate, glad to hear you had a great day and got first try scorer.
Sounds like a cracking day.
Hi snake
Seriously just a great day from the time I walked into ground to the time I left . You will the stadium mate - mind blowimg
I checked it out on open day Paul but havnt seen it for a game which i'll be doing very soon.
Looks amazing, it was very emotional walking through the gate im not ashamed to admit, straight onto the concourse, onto the open view of the ground.
I had to take a good few minutes just standing there soaking it in.
From there i went down to check out the warm up areas and walk out onto the sideline, the field was roped off but got to check out the turf and astro mix, sat in the players seats, was fantastic.
Walked around the full concourse and checked a few different views out, best sports stadium in thew country imo, budget but they got most of the important things right, was very impressed overall.
Well said Paul and totally agree it was a once in a lifetime experience and a lifelong memory today.
I drove down from Coffs Harbour with the family for this one - a great opportunity for the kids to watch the Eels play live for the very first time. The game day experience was exceptional - lunch on Church Street (in amongst all the other Parra fans), a wander through the park, Peter Wynn's Score! And then a short stroll to the stadium. Our seats were top-notch and we bloody loved it. The grandstands are SO steep and the atmosphere is electric. The only downside was all of the empty seats! I thought it was supposed to be a sellout? After the thrashing, we went out onto the field for a wander about (great initiative) before finishing off the night with a nice meal and a few well-earned drinks. For anyone contemplating on heading to Parramatta from the regions, I can strongly recommend the experience. I think I'll be back again a little later in the year. Bravo Parramatta! Bravo.
Official crowd was around 29.400 (from memory) and "seats were empty" - Sounds good for the future.
It also sounds like the stadium is as good as the advertising brochure. There's a first for you.
What are the prices like?
On TV it really sounded like a great atmosphere and Fox were wetting themselves over how many games should be scheduled for the stadium.
Hope they don't overuse it and destroy the surface that looked pretty good.
Hey Col - the prices were pretty reasonable and there were minimal queues for food and drinks. I was actually pretty surprised by the surface - it's a lot firmer than I was expecting with an excellent grass coverage. It didn't seem too sandy at all.
The day was emotional . I had tears swelling in my eyes when they came out and greeted the legends . The big screen was playing games past and present and you remember the times in your life and good and bad .
I have seen all four wins and they will live with me to the day I die . Remember running to Cumberland oval and seeing the grandstand on fire and grabbing a piece of fence fromghe ground and running over the little bridge across parramatta river .
When they allowed the kids onto the field and seeing pure joy in both kids and parents . Watching kids and some not so young kids scoring tries under the posts was fantastic .
Rugby league is a game. Parramatta is our life . Watching the kids of the future ripping in without fear is so exciting .
Parra is awakening from its slumber . Never say never