Parramatta wants to turn the world against Melbourne
The Age
Thursday October 1, 2009
PARRAMATTA is urging every other league fan in the nation's biggest city to join its supporters and make Sunday's grand final not just the Eels versus Melbourne, but Sydney versus Melbourne."That would be great for us," Parramatta star Luke Burt said yesterday. "If people wanted to do that, we certainly wouldn't complain. "I'm already feeling plenty of support for us. Parramatta has got a great supporters' base, and they've come in force for this game, which is excellent. And people from other parts of Sydney have been great, too."It would be lovely to see the whole of Sydney get behind Parramatta, since we're the only Sydney club in the game and we're playing a team from Melbourne."The Parramatta players generally appeared relaxed ahead of the match, which represents the club's first appearance in a grand final since it lost to Newcastle in 2001."Most of the boys seem pretty naturally relaxed," Burt said. "Blokes like 'Hindy' [Nathan Hindmarsh] are a bit edgy, but that's just his way. The young fellows are pretty confident and enjoying it, so they help you relax. Staying around the family helps keep it a normal week for me. I just try to do something with the kids every afternoon, whether it's going for a swim or a bike ride."Eels half-back Jeff Robson, who is still negotiating with the club over his future, added: "I'm pretty relaxed at the moment. Come Sunday, I think I'll get a bit nervous, but I've just been trying to soak it all in and enjoy myself. So far I think it's been pretty much a normal week. We've tried to keep it that way."Robson, who was previously at Manly, had never been a regular first-grader until he nailed down a spot with the Eels this season. He said he just tried to follow coach Daniel Anderson's instructions on how to get the job done."Daniel wanted me to lead the side around and put my stamp of authority on the team," Robson said. "He wants me to get us where we need to go on the field and also defend well, on the edge. "It took me four or five weeks back in first grade to get confident and used to the speed of the game, and once I did that I felt more a part of the team and started to enjoy my footy more."Robson thanked legendary Parramatta half-back Peter Sterling for his input, saying: "He hasn't told me too much about how to play the game, he's just been really encouraging. It's great to have people like him around at the club."
© 2009 The Age