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Eels aim to complete NRL, NRLW first

A historic NRL and NRLW double is on offer for Parramatta on grand final day at Accor Stadium.

JUNIOR PAULO.
JUNIOR PAULO. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Premierships are like buses - you wait ages for one and then two potentially come along at once.

That's exactly what Parramatta are facing on Sunday as they aim to become the first club to complete a NRL and NRLW double.

No team has achieved the feat since the inception of the women's competition in 2018.

The women's team, who snuck into the finals with just one regular-season win, will aim to down a rejuvenated Newcastle at Accor Stadium before the men seek to end a 36-year wait for a title.

And there's more history on offer for the Eels with men's co-captain Junior Paulo and NRLW counterpart Simaima Taufa aiming to become the first premiership-winning Polynesian skippers.

"It's special and it's definitely possible," Paulo told AAP.

"It'll be a special thing for the Polynesians who are aspiring to be in that role.

"I wished her (Taufa) good luck the other day, I think it's pretty cool that we are in the position we are in today and can look to inspire the next generation."

Taufa will only secede the captaincy if regular skipper Tiana Penitani, who is also of Tongan descent, fails to recover from a hamstring injury in time to play.

Paulo was invited to present jerseys to the NRLW side prior to last week's upset win over minor premiers the Sydney Roosters and said he admired the growth of the women's side under Dean Widders.

"It was a special moment and they're pretty fortunate to be playing (in a grand final) in their second season," he said.

"It was all about supporting each other and that's the kind of culture we want to build at this club."

Widders played four seasons at the Eels and said he knows exactly how big an occasion the chance for two grand finals on one day is.

"Being an ex-player, to see the men's team there and us as well it's obviously going to be a big week for the fans," he said.

"We've sort of rode that wave a little bit and I hope both teams can produce some good performances and get the job done."

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