Parramatta Eels win over Penrith Panthers could see Parra Jesus return


“What is the game about if it isn’t the fans? That’s supposed to be what it is all about, and when someone is a little bit memorable, they remember the real ones like Laurie Nichols, everyone knows him. I am not in that league.

“It does jump out, it is very random. You will be just walking down the street, without any (Eels) gear on and someone just stops you.

“My brother is the responsible, mature side of the league community, and I am the idiot. I am the other bookend – it’s kind of perfect.”

“It’s funny because many people don’t know my brother was [a] first grade ref, mostly a touchie. He is the responsible, mature side of the rugby league community, and I am the idiot. I am the other bookend and it is kind of perfect.”

Ryan has resisted all calls for a second coming of Parra Jesus in the years since. He didn’t rise again when Parramatta made the 2009 grand final, and he’ll be in standard Eels kit in the Accor Stadium stands – deep inside the Eels fans section – on Sunday.

John Ryan posing in his blue-and-gold vestments in 2001 at an Eels function with players and fans.Credit:Dallas Kilponen

“I am not young and drunk anymore. I am not 24 and hammer the piss all night and make a fool of myself,” Ryan said. “I am old and mature, apparently.”

Ryan, who works in logistics and lives in the Blue Mountains, is a season ticket holder and has been to every Eels game in recent memory. He is “quietly confident” a premiership victory could be just days away but Ryan’s passion as a Parramatta fan won’t fade without it. In fact, it would probably only grow.

Call it the suffering of Parramatta Jesus.

“It is a bit weird but my favourite era was that post-86 era. It is easy when you win, and when you’re the best. But it’s tougher when it’s hard, that’s when you see guys put in,” Ryan said.

“Even a few years ago when we got the wooden spoon, and we were losing, that’s when you could see the guys [players] going ‘I am still turning up for this club’. And I appreciate that.”

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Ryan gives his blessing to Parramatta coach Brad Arthur, who he believes has shifted the Eels from a team who fades near the finals to a team who will peak in the last game.

He didn’t fancy playing Souths in a grand final, but takes great heart in Parramatta beating Penrith twice this year.

“I don’t think everyone understands Parramatta. You look at them the last few years, you jump out of the gates and you’re running first or second,” Ryan said. “Then you run out of steam and you fall away at the end.

“This year is different. We get up for the big games.

“People say, “But Penrith are the best team in the comp”. Not when they’re playing us. We have the wood over them.”

Watch the NRL Grand Final Exclusive Live and Free on Channel 9 and 9Now.



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