This week, Ladies Who League blogger Mary Kaye prepares to head to #eelsterritory to see the Eels take on the Penrith Panthers. Find more of her work on Ladies Who League!
I'm finding it very hard to believe that there are only 5 rounds left of the 2015 NRL season. Between the months of October and March I find myself longing for the football to start and after a long off-season, I always feel like our first home game of the year at Pirtek Stadium is akin to me 'coming home'. At that point of the season, the possibilities are endless and I look forward to sharing the rest of the season with my Parramatta family - my fellow Parramatta supporters that sit in my bay.
With only 5 games remaining, I'm going to try and enjoy every minute because it will all be over before we know it. Then, I can assure you that we will all longing for the 2016 season to arrive.
With that spirit in mind, and with the aim of enjoying every minute, I am very excited about the game this weekend. By the time you read this blog, I will (hopefully) have touched down in Darwin … oh sorry - we're calling it Eels Territory this week, aren't we?
To start with, it should be a good game of football. The Penrith Panthers are one of the only teams in the competition who have suffered more than us injury-wise this year. With the Eels having lost players like Anthony Watmough, Kenny Edwards and Danny Wicks for the remainder of the season - our strength, particularly in the forward pack will be tested.
However, the Panthers will also be missing a number of key enforcers including Peter Wallace, Jamal Idris and Matt Moylan.
This Saturday night as we take on the Panthers at TIO Stadium, we are really going to find out which team can handle the heat.
Let's talk off the field. Whilst winning on the field is important, you will all know by know that what I think is more important is ensuring that our players are positive role models not just for the rugby league community but the community at large. The Eels have always done me proud in this regard through champions like Luke Burt, Nathan Cayless and Tim Mannah.
Keep your eyes open over the next couple of days for updates on how our players will continue to get involved in the community - meeting fans, children and the next batch of rugby league superstars.
From what I have hard, the Eels were very warmly embraced in Darwin last year and I am looking for more of the same this weekend. I look forward to seeing many photos and selfies this week celebrating our special week in the Territory and the tremendous rugby league talent which the Northern Territory has to offer.
To all the people who are heading to Darwin this weekend, I'm looking forward to seeing you - help me get our boys home this weekend. Cheer loudly and cheer with pride. I look forward to seeing you all in Blue and Gold up in #eelsterritory.
