It happens every year when a side has success, but some sides seem to have more fairweather supporters than others.

Parade remembers Parramatta’s incredible run to the decider in the 2009 season, when the Eels came from well back in the pack to eventually play Melbourne (and lose) in the big one.

In the pub where Parade spent too much of his time back in those days, you could chart Parramatta's progress by the appearance of Eels paraphernalia among the regular drinkers.

When the Eels were languishing down the lower reaches of the ladder and it looked like another season of disappointment, there was barely a bit of blue and gold around.

But as Parramatta started to win games and build up a head of steam, suddenly some Eels jerseys and caps started to appear around the back bar.

And when the Eels got into the semi-finals, the jerseys increased in number.

Finally, when Parramatta secured a grand final spot, there were drinkers who had never declared a firm allegiance to any particular side saying they were Eels supporters from way back.

“I didn’t even know he followed rugby league,” Parade remembers saying to a mate when one of the pub regulars was holding court at the front bar talking about what Jarryd Hayne would need to do to ensure success in the grand final.

It was all a bit suspicious – but not particularly surprising.

Sports followers like winners, don’t they?

The crowd figures – and the club chief executives’ reckless pursuit of the big talents – tell that story every year.

As a footnote to Parade’s story of the Eels’ big year, the Parramatta supporter gear all disappeared once the Eels had lost the grand final and life in Parade’s familiar old pub quickly went back to normal.