Emma and I met up at Parramatta and made our way through giant lines of people waiting to vote at the town hall and instead sat down in the sun stricken Parramatta Stadium. Looking around at the stands it really hit me just how much people had given up on the team. The barely packed stands really saddened me and I couldn't help but imagine that the players wouldn't be able but to take note of the lack of fans for the day. This made me feel even more assured that I will never give up on this team that I have seriously grown to love and adore. And I always see it as their loss. They don't come to the events so that means I get easier photo opportunities and chances to mingle with the players. And I did do just that.
After watching the players train in the unbelievable heat, and sharing a few laughs with Emma about the training exercises they were required to do and just how the players approach those, we moved over to the side of the field waiting with the other fans to be let onto the field to get up close and personal with the boys. I have to take a moment to applaud the fact that this was the most well organised fan event I have been to since I've been a supporter of the team. Occasionally, I have had my moments where I've felt disappointed because I only got to get a few photos or signatures because the players abruptly would leave. But this time all the players were so willing and patient with the fans. I was able to get photos with just about everyone that I wanted, and even had a little chat with both Darcy and Luke.
One thing I have to take from this whole day, and this ended up causing a commotion on twitter and different social networking sites, was that Jarryd Hayne was the best he's been in a long time. Now I do have to note that it's interesting that people will acknowledge the days in which he is and isn't good to be around because I think a lot of people have come to realise the type of player that he is. I will always be a Jarryd Hayne fan. I'm one of the biggest ones out there for goodness sake, I idolised the guy at one stage. While it may appear that I have "moved on" as some word it, I will always consider him an inspiration. He's still an idol in my eyes, but there is no denying that he is strongly misunderstood. I wish I could broadcast to everyone that he isn't the arrogant, rude person that they have believed him to be. There have been occasions that I have seen him and he isn't a happy, bubbly person that he can be. With this, he's human. I applaud those players that can put on a fake persona around fans when they deep down are hurting, but unfortunately Jarryd can't do that. Why should anyone judge him for that though? Cast your mind back to 2009. As eels fans just the mention of that year brings a smile to our faces and instantly visions of Jarryd "simply dancing" appear in our minds. At this stage, let us remember that he was at the young age of just 21. Imagine being thrown into the spotlight and instant football fame at just 21. Always in these situations I have to throw the cliche line of, put yourself in their shoes. Instead of belittling him for those times that he's just wearing his heart on his sleeves, learn to appreciate and treasure those moments where he is taking hundreds of photos and signing hundreds of autographs all while wearing a smile. I give the guy full credit because despite those times in which he has only choked out a couple of words to me and I felt say disappointed, I still wasn't empty handed. He rarely leaves fans with nothing so quit asking for everything.
Overall, the day was a great success in my eyes. Even so I found myself uncharacteristically saying things to players or people that not long ago I would've been too shy to do. I even managed to introduce myself to the media staff for the eels and a group of us got a photo with them. Who even does that? I do apparently.
It was so great to see the boys for one last time this year and bid farewell to a forgettable year and look towards the future. Never have I been to an eels organised event that has left me feeling let down and this was definitely no exception. There is always something that happens that will be sure to keep a smile on my face all day and cause me to tweet up a storm telling everyone what had happened - even if it appears to be insignificant in their eyes. Here's hoping for more memories with the team that I love next season. Until then, I do wish the boys a restful off season but a forceful preseason.
Happy reading! Stay well, and go Parra for 2014!
- Victoria
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| Darcy Lussick - only I would complain to him about being hot in jeans oh man |
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| Jarryd Hayne - cause everyone needs a selfie with the man |
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| Luke Kelly - no one was going to him, like why?! |
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| Mitchell Allgood - seriously sweetest guy! |
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| Reni Maitua - gonna miss him! :'( |
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| Semi Radradra - nicest guy out! |
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| "you tweet a lot" |
