This is not just another game for me. It’s not just another big game. It’s not just a blockbuster.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for redemption. It’s about receiving some form of consolation for having a Premiership, or even two, stolen away from me. Thieved, by a cheating club who flagrantly played above the rules and then has since had the hide to think that it has been harshly done by.
Eels fans will never have the opportunity to know what winning that Premiership would have felt like. That pain that sits in the gut, and is re-inflamed with every photo or clip from that should-have-had grand final, will never, ever subside. And the NRL, in their infinite cowardness has chosen not to recognise the Eels as the best team in the competition in 2009 by retrospectively declaring them Premiers.
So all that I’ve had to cling onto, since that day when the cheating Melbourne Storm, were exposed, was this match on Friday night. I’ve had this game in the back of my mind months.
Given the past two weeks performance’s, my anticipation for this clash has only climbed. There I was not too long ago, feeling quietly confident (ok, not so much of the quietly) that 2010 was going to be the Year of the Eel. We’d just defeated an in-form Manly at Brookvale to make it four in a row. The young halves combination I’ve had so much hope and optimism for, was starting to put it together. I declared Jarryd Hayne the best player I’d ever seen and this side seemed to be coming together as a tight-knit unit for a glorious campaign - despite the confirmation that two of our most-loved sons would be heading for alternative pastures.
A 2010 Premiership would mean three men who I’ve had so much admiration for - Nathan Cayless, Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt - would be recognised as Premiership winners before they retire in coming seasons.
And that just might even make up for that stolen premiership. Or at least, make it a bloody site better.
But over the past fortnight that’s fallen apart. For whatever reasons, the same attitude, the same comrderie, the same team spirit was not there for either the Sharks or Dragons clash. I’ve reported on disquiet in the camp, I’ve watched players give up chasing a break. How the hell did the wheels suddenly fall off?
I’m sure each and every one of the Eels know what this game means to Parramatta supporters. We will turn up to our Stadium in droves. We will make sure the Storm feel like they have entered through the very gates of Hell. The players hold our hopes, they have our belief and of course our undying support.
So if the side is not able to pull together for this game - this mother of all games - I fear that this season is all but lost. To have to cope with that, on top of walking out of our Stadium, having suffered another demoralising loss to them, again, will be almost unbearable.
On the flipside, victory will mean the world. It will give credence to our rock solid belief that we were the rightful 2009 premiers. It will remind us, ever so forcefully, that we can do it again in 2010.
This is one of those games, that I believe I will remember forever. I pray that it will be for all the right reasons.
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Replies
We have all had this game on the radar even more since we found out about the cheats who robbed us of our dream last year.
I agree, if we can't step up for this game then i too fear that this season could be a lost one.
We can't harp on about one victory, however, the Manly game showed me what we have to do to win the comp. Our defence was rock solid and Mr Hayne ran the attack. This coupled with a hunger and desire to win is what i beleive is the secret to us winning the comp.
WE MUST SHOW SOME PRIDE IN THE JERSEY TOMORROW NIGHT FOR TOO MANY REASONS.
PUMP UP BOYZ - PAYBACK IS A BIATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melbourne have nothing but pride to play for this year and if any game means more to them than this one i dont know which one it would be, for this reason we should be worried.
I to have been waitng for this game since the dirty cheats were found out.
I would love to be at the game tomorrow night but unfortunatly the other half has to work and I have to look after my little girl.
What annoys me is that this game will be televised at 9:30. Surely a grand final rematch is worthy of the live 7:30 time slot.
So I will be sitting at home waiting for the game to start resisting the urge not to check for a live score update.
I agree with you 1 eyed if we can not pull it together for this game I feel all is lost for 2010 aswell. But if we win hopefully the boy will start to believe we can win it this year.
To all of those who can attend tomorrow nights game get all of our support behind our boys and help them get over the top of the cheats. And also make the storm know how we as fans about being robbed in 2009, but please dont project the wrath at storm fans as they like us have the right to be able to go and watch a game of footy without having to put up with abuse.
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