The Eels will appear in their first decider since 2009 after posting a 24-20 win over North Queensland in Townsville on Friday night. The demand for blue and gold merchandise is already exceeding supply,with fans lining up outside retailer Peter Wynn’s Score in Church Street from 7am on Saturday morning,well before the designated opening time.
The North Queensland Cowboys take on the Parramatta Eels in the first preliminary final of the 2022 NRL Premiership.
The Eels began selling a range of “Road to Parradise” T-shirts immediately after the full-time siren on Friday night,with more merchandise set to be available for one of the biggest weeks in the club’s history.
The biggest benefits for the club if a title is secured will come in the months ahead via sales of memberships,corporate hospitality and sponsorships. About half of the 27,000 seats at home ground CommBank Stadium have been taken up by full-season ticketed members,a number expected to spike for season 2023.
For the club to fully cash in,however,coach Brad Arthur and his team need to notch one more victory.
“I would say that winning a grand final is worth well in excess of seven figures,” Parramatta chief executive Jim Sarantinos toldTheSun-Herald. “The impact of winning one is huge. Obviously everyone will be trying to get their hands on anything blue and gold over the next week.
Parramatta Eels fans were lining up outside Peter Wynn Score before 7am on Saturday.Supplied
“Clearly we will sell a lot of merchandise,which will be great. Hopefully if we are successful this Sunday,it will provide the club with a big boost in membership. We’ve grown it significantly over the last few years already,we’re close to 35,000.
“It would be awesome to break the 40,000 barrier next year. It would be great for our club and our members.
“It’s a great reward for our sponsors who have supported our club for years and stood by us. Hopefully with a grand final appearance,hopefully we can attract more people who want to have an association with the club. That will hopefully give us a boost for the next few years to come.”
Wynn,a premiership-winning Eels player,established a store that has been an institution in Parramatta since 1988. After some lean years due to COVID-19,the retailer is expected to do a roaring trade this week.
Parramatta fans are ready to spend big ahead of next Sunday’s grand final,the club’s first since 2009.Getty
“Having experienced what it’s like to win a grand final,you know what it means to the players,the club and the fans,” Wynn said. “I’m so fortunate to be here and mix with the fans,you can see what it means to them. They are all here in their colours across Parramatta at the moment,it’s quite humbling.
“I was here at 7am today and they were all lined up then. They were very patient as we were waiting for stock to arrive,the grand final T-shirts were made straight after the game. They are all so friendly,you see that glint in their eyes,what it means to them. There is so much happiness and anticipation now the Eels have made the grand final.”
Parramatta have made just two deciders,in 2001 and 2009,since their last premiership triumph in 1986. Critics of Arthur have been lining up the coach in recent weeks,but Sarantinos believes the club’s appearance in the decider vindicates the decision to commit to him long term.
“Brad has been at the club for nine years and we are one game away from achieving what everyone wants to achieve with him as coach,” he said. “Within the four walls of the club,there is a lot of hard work,belief and an unwavering commitment for us to be successful.”
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