Every week, Mary Kaye brings her writing talents from Ladies Who League over to the Eels. This week she looks back at a big win, and reflects on the bigger picture.
One of my favourite ever lines from a movie is 'there's no place like home', and on Saturday night this was certainly the case for our Parramatta Eels.
Fortress Parramatta welcomed back our men in blue and gold for our second home game of the season.
After watching our boys play against Manly last weekend, I got the feeling that the performance on Saturday night would be something special. Apart from the performance in Round 2 against the Roosters, the team’s performances in the other games this year have been very impressive.
We no longer look like wooden spooners but instead we are a team with confidence and with a plan in both attack and defence. The team has also been bolstered by some sensational off season signings, especially Peatsy who will prove to be Parramatta's buy of the year.
On Saturday night, in a game dubbed the 'Battle of the West' it was certainly Parramatta who delivered, defeating the Penrith Panthers 32-16.
I may be biased, but I want to call our performance in the second half magnificent.
It was good to see Chris 'wow' Sandow and his cheeky smile back on the field. Following a difficult 12 months for our mercurial halfback, his enthusiasm was infectious and his goal-kicking capability was something which really added to our performance on Saturday night.
I'm also predicting that after Saturday night's victory, there are going to be some new fan favourites this year. Semi put in another sensational performance and continued to crush any opposition player that was in his path.
Peatsy was also sensational and, as always, Manu Ma'u continued to inspire with his enthusiasm in hitting the ball up. Hoppa did not give Jamal Idris a yard of space throughout the match and Jarryd Hayne was inspirational as our leader.
I also wanted to congratulate Willie Tonga on what I thought was his best ever performance for the Blue and Gold.
It will be a massive test in Brisbane this weekend, but I am confident that if our boys put in another performance like Saturday night, that we will be able to topple the Broncos. To all our fans travelling North, wear your blue and gold colours with pride.
Before, I sign off for this week, I also wanted to take some time to acknowledge the Newcastle Knights and the NRL community at large as we continue to think about Alex McKinnon and also Jordan McLean.
Sport is something which brings people together and the NRL is a game which brings tremendous joy to people all over the country. To have the life of a tremendous young man changed so dramatically as a result of playing the game we all love is devastating.
Alex McKinnon's injury is a timely reminder that despite all of us hoping that our team gets the 2 points on the weekend, there are things which are far more important.
#riseforAlex
