A century ago, Australian sporting teams left players out of tours to England because they were not the right type of chap. They might be a risk of passing the port the wrong way, blowing their noses too loudly, or otherwise embarrassing the colonials in front of their hosts. Or they might be Irish Catholics. Or they might not "fit in". No official explanation was given, thanks to the convenient cloak of selection-room confidentiality, but everyone heard the rumours and held a theory. Lines in the sand were drawn about off-field behaviour. Omissions were never purely on the basis of form or ability. You were either in or out of the clique.

Fairfax Media was given exclusive access to grand final week's best function. It was an emotional one for all involved.

Kirisome Auva'a is poised to make a shock NRL return at Parramatta next season.

John Singleton once offered to shout Ron Massey a lunch where he could invite his 10 best mates.

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The troubled footballer has broken his silence about his relationship with the professional punter.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has been recognised for his role in keeping the club together during its most trying period, earning the prestigious clubperson of the year award.

Penrith winger Josh Mansour's red-hot finish to the season could cost Kangaroos incumbent Semi Radradra his Australian jersey for this year's Four Nations tour.

Incoming Parramatta CEO Bernie Gurr has no qualms about overseeing the rebuild of Parramatta on a fraction of their current budget, believing the Eels are finally positioned to fulfil their undoubted potential.

​Parramatta has found its man to lead its rebuild.

Finally. Parramatta's season from hell is over. And they finished in style, thumping the New Zealand Warriors 40-18.

Jeff Robson left the Warriors in the belief his playing days were coming to an end.

Parramatta's football budget will be halved for next season as its powerful leagues club seeks to slash at least $5 million from the cost of running the Eels.

Parramatta have continued their recovery mission, adding rugby league's most decorated trainer, 65-year-old fitness guru Ronnie Palmer, to their training staff for next season.

A remorseful Corey Norman has apologised to Eels fans for a string of "dumb" off-field incidents and said he wouldn't be surprised if fans shunned the game because of another case of a player behaving badly.

Semi Radradra's post-injury NRL form is proof the Parramatta star is in the right frame of mind to represent Australia in the Four Nations, according to teammate Michael Jennings.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur says his side is good enough to play semi-final football after Dragons win.

Parramatta sparkle one last time to overcome St George Illawarra Dragons in final game at Pirtek Stadium.

Former Storm boss Mark Evans the frontrunner to become CEO at Parramatta Eels

So it's farewell to Jamie Lyon, Benji Marshall and Parramatta Stadium: proof of the great game's ongoing power to mint people and places with personality.