LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In the early 1980s, the game of rugby league was vastly different from what it is today.
The footage from that era may be grainy, but it still holds a certain familiarity.
The camera angles, the speed of play, and the movement of the ball are all reminiscent of the game we know now.
However, there are noticeable differences, and the names of the players are becoming less recognizable with each passing year.
One particular moment in rugby league history stands out - the 1983 New South Wales Rugby League grand final, where the Parramatta Eels clinched their third consecutive top-grade grand final victory.
They would go on to win another in 1986, solidifying their dominance in the sport.
Even though the game has evolved since then, the respect for those Parramatta players remains as strong as ever.
The current talk surrounding the Penrith Panthers, who are widely predicted to achieve a three-peat this Sunday, often brings up comparisons to the Eels' historic achievement.
If the Panthers succeed, it would mark the end of what has been described as rugby league's era of radical change.
Craig Hawkins, a devoted Parramatta fan, has vivid memories of those early 1980s games.
Sitting on a bench in the grandstand of Cumberland Oval, he recalls the unique experience of enjoying peanuts at the matches.
The vendors would shout, "in the shell, or sugar coated," adding a culinary delight to the football experience.
The game of rugby league has come a long way since the days of the Parramatta Eels' dominance.
The sport has undergone significant changes, both on and off the field.
However, the legacy of those legendary players and their achievements still resonates within the rugby league community.
As the Penrith Panthers strive to replicate the Eels' three-peat, the question remains: how far has the game truly come since that era of dominance?