It has been four long years since 75,000 people packed ANZ Stadium to watch the Parramatta Eels and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs go to war. On that night, the Eels would not be denied in a thrilling grand final qualifier.
But it has been slim pickings for Parramatta since. The once mighty Eels have floundered to finishes of 12th, 14 and 16th over the past three seasons.
While the Eels have struggled to find that winning feeling, the Bulldogs have gone from strength to strength under the strict regime of coach Des Hasler.
Playing a wonderful brand of football, the Belmore club were as dangerous as anyone in 2012.
With eventual Dally M Medallist Ben Barba thrilling crowds up and down the country and a monstrous ball playing forward pack rolling over the advantage line, Canterbury claimed the minor premiership.
The Melbourne Storm would beat them in the decider, but the foundation was laid for an exciting future.
That was until only a few weeks ago.
On the eve of the 2013 National Rugby League season, Barba was stood down. That foundation isn’t gone, but the cracks are already showing.
The Bulldogs failed to fire on Saturday night at Gosford and went down to the North Queensland Cowboys.
They were good, but weren’t good enough. The Bulldogs are suddenly just another team.
Meanwhile, a resounding 40-10 win over the New Zealand Warriors has Eels fans believing again.
Just like that, with a click of the fingers, we have ourselves another Thursday night blockbuster at ANZ Stadium.
That is the beauty of rugby league. Nothing is ever guaranteed in our game and everything can change faster than you can say ‘Hayne plane’.
For the time being, the bragging rights are with the Eels. Canterbury are Barba-less and winless to start the year.
Even if we are only one round down, Parramatta are undefeated and above their fierce rivals on the ladder.
You can hear the Bulldogs fans fuming from here. After all, they’ve only played one game.
But what happens if Parramatta down the Doggies on Thursday at Homebush?
Pressure is the great equaliser in the NRL. For the Bulldogs, the pressure sits squarely on the shoulders of playmakers Kris Keating and Josh Reynolds. When the chips are down, you go to your halves.
In the clutch, on the big stage, can Keating or Reynolds win their side a match?
The Eels are basking in a demolition of the Warriors on Saturday afternoon. There is no pressure on them coming into this match. Jarryd Hayne and Chris Sandow were damn good but that doesn’t mean coach Ricky Stuart is expecting miracles just yet.
If they go down to the Dogs, it’s only round two.
But what if Parramatta win? Canterbury would go to 0-2 and the pressure continues to build.
“I am happy for the players,” Stuart said after the victory on Saturday.
“They have worked really hard over the summer and I am just happy because I saw some smiles on their faces again. They have been bashed around like a brown dog there for 18 months and it had been tough at this club for a long time.
“There will be some tough days ahead, but we will go through those days together. But this is a good day and I am really happy for them. It also gives the fans something to smile about finally.”
Canterbury have everything to prove and plenty to lose. Parramatta are just happy to be playing good football again.
Beware the happy football team. The smiles may continue after round two for the Eels faithful.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
So your saying that Parra should aim for 3 wins this year. I think that is highly achievable given the talent at the club.
Justin Cormick
Roar Guru
Parra didn't play too badly in the last few seasons, they were very unlucky a lot of the time. They have started this season with 1 good win, and a couple more would do their confidence good.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
I think his point was more to do with us eels supporters not having had a lot to smile about in the last 3 years.
dogforlife
Guest
If the Eels are any hope this year they need to lose a couple early so the egos stay in check, not to mention the media that pumps them up.
81paling
Roar Rookie
I do not think that any game played on a Thursday will get 50,000 in the crowd particularly if the game is being shown on free to air TV. The dogs have to be favourites in reality it is only if the Eels can learn quickly from their mistakes against a Warriors side that was disappointing will they stand a chance. Though the Dogs went down it was not due to a lack of discipline or fitness, they were competitive against a very strong side. The Eels will need to show some of their 2009 form to beat the Dogs on Thursday.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
So we shouldn't expect 50,000 people at ANZ on Thursday then?
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Don't think Ricky will allow big heads so early.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Brilliantly put Ricardo. It is as simple as that.
Ricardo
Guest
The only ones hyping up the Eels is the media. We fans are just happy with the win. Why look for the negatives. Every fan enjoys a win..
The Barry
Roar Guru
I'm with TAMU...the Warriors traditionally struggle away from home, their team looks poorer than in recent seasons and on top of that they played pretty badly. Dogs failed to control the ball and didn't make anything of their limited chances in the second half. Deserved to be beaten by the Cowboys. I don't think this game will match that 2009 decider. With Hayne and Sandow having big games, they're probably not due again for another 4-5 weeks.
Tony Archers Maroon Underwear
Guest
The truth is the warriors were just awful utterly hopeless, I enjoyed the win no question but if we had been playing the Dogs of last year or Storm/Manly or Souths we would have been 20+ points down and under the hammer in the first twenty minutes. Parra couldn't complete sets due to stupid penalties and handling errors. Our green outside backs whilst playing with great exuberance in attack are still looking fragile / unorganized in defense, something that Hasler could not have failed to notice. Were also looking a bit undersized in the middle the warriors started to exploit this but then inexplicably gave up, rolled over and died. Its a good way to start the year with some really positive signs shown by some key players like Matuia, Sandow and Hayne, but I'm not getting excited till we win a game where our opponents were actually trying to win as well.
Pete
Guest
2013 the year of the EELS? Too soon to tell, but I am hopeful they wont be bottom feeders at the very least!
JonD
Guest
Agree! Round 1 should be called Round 0 because it is worth (almost) nothing.
alex
Guest
no i bet they'll lose on thursday sandow and hayne will get a big head and stuff up, confidence is good but too much confidence turns you into benji marshall look what happened to him yesterday, it was painful to watch how bad that team was so i'm pretty sure they'll beat the tigers
max
Guest
I reckon the Eels will go 2 up and build some more much-needed confidence. They Hayne Train will roll onto to Leichhardt Oval the following week and blow Benji's boys off the park. Eels 3-0 and then they face the Roosters, cracking game.
josh
Guest
yes but the uncerainty of teams in the nrl is ridiculous if you watch nfl usually the same teams end up in the layoffs every year and in nrl you have manly, storm (except 2010) and the broncos but then youhave roosters, warrior, eels and propable bulldogs now jumping in and out of the top 8 every year and its not like they just miss it but miss it with large portions.
Mantis
Roar Guru
"That is the beauty of rugby league. Nothing is ever guaranteed in our game and everything can change faster than you can say ‘Hayne plane’." Theres no upsets in any other sport?
Anna
Guest
I love an overhyped Eels team. Even better now that Ricky is coach. . .premierships are not won in round 1..this is going to be fun :)