Easy to remember for me
Sunday 23rd August 1981
Rd21: Parra v Roosters at SCG
Was lucky my High School was very big on league, and a teacher would hire a mini bus and take about 8 of us to the footy (and Shield cricket).
Mr Bell (my maths teacher) took a group of us to this game (he was an American but huge eels fan).
We sat in the Sheridan stand , which I think now is the Bill Oreilly stand. First thing that struck me when players ran on the field is how small Parra was compared to the Roosters. Chooks ended up winning the minor premiership that year and were clear favourites for the title, probably on par to how Penrith are these days.
We got belted 20-6. Scoreline was a little flattering . I was in awe of the chooks. No chance we were beating them that year. Too fast, too strong, too big. They also beat us earlier in the year. We left about 5min before game ended as was easier for Mr Bell to marshall all the troops back in the mini van than wait for FT (crowd was over 30k). Got right ole gobful (nothing bad or abusive) from Chooks supporters as we were leaving, had my Parra jersey on, couple of other mates had chooks kit. The Rest were in plain jane attire lol
That year, 1981. Was the first time I played league. Was made captain. Probably on the back of my touch footy skills the year before, and that I had no fear in a couple trial games. I played prop, only year I played that position (lock forward after that as I idolised Ray Price). Back then you played all game, only taken off if you were injured or coach thought you needed replacing. We won the regional comp that year for the School, and Parra ended up winning their first premiership (inc revenge on the chooks in the major semi final). Life was much simpler back then and in a lot of ways more fun and authentic with no internet and little tv