NRL 2022: Kiwi Parramatta fans make trek to Sydney hoping Eels break title drought

The NRL Grand Final is now just over 48 hours away, with rival teams both hailing from Sydney's West. 

While Penrith Panthers are the defending champions, Parramatta Eels fans haven't watched their team play a final since 2009.

Even Kiwis are crossing the ditch, hoping to see them make history. 

NRL Grand Final fever sees a euphoric hysteria taking over Sydney, with the hopes and dreams of fans resting on the shoulders of their sporting heroes. 

For Parramatta folk, the road to glory is paved in nothing but blue and gold. 

"I haven't seen them win a title, so hopefully this is the year," one fan told Newshub.

The last time fans got to see the Eels lift the Provan-Summons Trophy was 36 years ago. The elusive trophy has been just as hard to get as merchandise.

For a win, the Eels are relying on star five-eighth Dylan Brown, a 22-year-old from Auckland.

"Dylan Brown is one of my favourites," says fan Phil Banks.

Like Dylan, Banks is Kiwi, but this weekend, he backs Aussie. 

"I always said, if we make a Grand Final, we'll come over to support."

Upper Hutt's Dave Kovacs has done the same.

"We've been up since Australian 1am, so we're knackered," he said. "It's been a long day."

Kiwi Dylan Brown is leading Parramatta Eels' charge.
Kiwi Dylan Brown is leading Parramatta Eels' charge. Photo credit: Image - Getty Images

Kiwis are switching allegiances in the name of winning - diehard Panthers and Eels fans only now. 

With the colours of Penrith proudly worn on their backs, supporters of the reigning premiers will quickly tell you no-one can beat them.

The decider is sold out, with all 83,000 tickets bought within minutes. Sunday will be the first time a full stadium has watched an NRL final since 2019.

Join us from 9:30pm Sunday for live updates of the Penrith v Parramatta NRL Grand Final