Parramatta greats from the 1980s want Penrith in their exclusive three-peat club
Jack Gibson’s Eels have solely held the triple-treat honour for the past 40 years – but that could change on Sunday.
Parramatta legends from rugby league’s last three-peat have ignored their western Sydney rivalry with Penrith to declare: “We’ll welcome you into our exclusive club.”
Brett Kenny, Steve Edge, Peter Wynn, Steve Ella, Mick Cronin and Eric Grothe — all part of Parramatta’s third successive grand final win in 1983 – have united in acknowledging Penrith’s bid to stand tall alongside the history-making Eels with victory in Sunday’s grand final.
Jack Gibson’s Eels have been rugby league only hat-trick heroes for the past 40 years.
Rather than death-ride their neighbours, ex-Eels stars have instead embraced a Panthers win and claimed they would accept Penrith into three-peat club.
Only former Eels lock Ray Price was against a Panthers win.
The 1983 Eels. Back row (L-R) Geoff Bugden, Peter Wynn, Paul Mares, Eric Grothe, Stan Jurd. Middle row (L-R) Mick Souter, David Liddiard, Steve Sharp, Ray Price, Michael Cronin, Brett Kenny, Steve Ella, Alf Richards. Front row (L-R) Denis Fitzgerald, Paul Taylor, Jack Gibson, Steve Edge, Ron Massey, Peter Sterling, Arthur Drew.
PETER WYNN (175 games for Parramatta)
“West is best,” Wynn said. “Penrith has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to match what we achieved in ’81, ’82 and ’83. It has taken 40 years for that chance to happen again, which is quite amazing.
“We were the last team to do it so, for that reason, I will go for Penrith and would be happy if they can equal it. It’s a big thing when you think about it.
“You think how many good teams, the likes of Canberra, Broncos, Melbourne Storm and Roosters, they couldn’t do it.
“Penrith has capitalised on their local juniors which was very similar to what happened back in our day. And it’s hard to support anyone or anything north of the border.”
Steve Edge and Mick Cronin with the silverware.
BRETT KENNY (265 games for Parramatta)
Kenny, who remarkably scored two tries in three-straight grand finals, also backed the Panthers.
“I’d be happy if it (three consecutive titles) was broken in my lifetime. We have held it for a long time, 40 years, so it’s about time someone did it,” Kenny said.
“I just think Penrith will win so I will be supporting the Panthers. They won’t break our record, only equal it but it’s got to be broken at some time.
“If Penrith win, they would do it the opposite way to us – they lost their first grand final, we lost our last. We both played in four.”
RAY PRICE (258 games for Parramatta)
Price offered a point of difference and said he would “quietly” back the Broncos.
“This is selfish but I would rather Penrith didn’t win it. We had three in a row and they are going for three in a row,” Price said. “It would be nice to have our record preserved.
“I can be a cranky puss. If they lost, we would still be the last team to win three in a row. But, in saying that, I won’t begrudge Penrith if they do win. I will be cheering very softly (for Brisbane). I don’t want anyone to hear.
“Penrith used to treat us as their big brother but they got pissed off with that. Each to their own.”
The Eels earned much respect during their run.
STEVE ELLA (157 games for Parramatta)
“Look, I think records are there to be broken and, in this case, equalled, which I think is terrific,” Ella said.
“If Penrith win, that’s great and I will certainly applaud them because it’s a great achievement. We know how hard it is.
“If they equal our record, hats off to them. I’d have no problem at all. They have been a fantastic side over the last few years and they prove that week-in, week-out.
“We should have won the fourth grand final (in 1984) as well but unfortunately I snapped my medial ligament after six minutes.”
The Panthers could make it three premierships on the trot. Picture: NRL Imagery
MICK CRONIN (216 games for Parramatta)
Rugby league’s renowned gentleman, former Parramatta centre Mick Cronin, has asked that the winner of Sunday’s grand final show some “respect and humility.”
Cronin remains annoyed at Penrith’s post-grand finals celebrations after beating his Eels last year.
“I’m not overly impressed by the way they carry on,” Cronin said.
“I tell you who I want to win on Sunday? The side who might show a bit of humility, be reasonably humble after the game and show some respect for the opposition.
“People can figure that out for themselves.
“I wouldn’t mind if they came up with something new but they copied everything from old basketball and gridiron sides with players who carry on.
“I don’t mind if Penrith win but I look at how they carried on last year.”
Parramatta celebrate their grand final win over Manly.
ERIC GROTHE (152 games for Parramatta)
Grothe was another Panthers admirer, saying: “I’d rather a Sydney team win so if it’s Penrith, it’s Penrith, absolutely. They are a great side and they deserve it.
“I will give Penrith a cheer. It will be a great match up. Defensively Penrith are so strong, I think they will frustrate the Broncos. I think Penrith will get them but I like the way Brisbane play.”
STEVE EDGE (118 games for Parramatta)
Edge said Penrith “deserved” to sit alongside Parramatta.
“I have no issues whatsoever if Penrith win. They deserve it and they can take it,” Edge said. “They are a great side. Honestly, at the end of the day, records are meant to be broken.
“It was always going to happen. Nathan Cleary is playing outstandingly well and they will be very hard to beat but they’re not across the line just yet. Anything can happen in a grand final.”
