Push for stars of the 1980s Parramatta Eels team to enter Immortals voting race

Parramatta won four premierships over a six-year period in the 1980s and boasted some of the finest players of the era – DEAN RITCHIE asks why aren’t any Eels on the next Immortals shortlist?

Parramatta chief executive Jim Sarantinos has demanded the NRL place four Eels superstars from his club’s golden era on the “shortest of short lists” for Immortal status.

Despite Parramatta winning four premierships over a six-year period in the early 1980s, the Eels – primarily Brett Kenny, Peter Sterling, Ray Price and Mick Cronin – have been snubbed in Immortal voting.

“At our club, we had one of the greatest teams in one of the greatest eras in the 115-year history of the game and it would entirely appropriate for them to be recognised, or at the very least be in the front running for consideration of who will be anointed as the next Immortals,” Sarantinos said.

“I would say they need to be very much in the frame and be on the shortest of short lists. They should be strongly considered.

“They are not just legends of our club, they are legends of our game and some of the greatest players to have played in one of the greatest teams over the game’s history.”

(L-R) Ray Price and Peter Sterling pop a bottle of champagne in the dressing room after Parramatta defeated Newtown in the 1981 grand final at the SCG. Picture: John Burney

The Immortals debate is in full swing after this masthead revealed on Monday that the NRL had formed a subcommittee to kickstart moves for new inductees.

To be chosen as an Immortal is the greatest honour a player can receive and it is widely considered that to earn the accolade he needs to have changed the game or had an impact beyond his career.

Those being mentioned as possible Immortal candidates include Eels legends Kenny, Sterling, Price and Cronin.

An updated Daily Telegraph online survey, asking who should be the next Immortal, attracted 2500 respondents with Parramatta players polling strongly.

Sterling pulled 11 per cent of the vote, Kenny (8 per cent) with Price (5 per cent) – a total of 24 per cent for Eels players from the club’s triumphant era.

(L-R) Brett Kenny and John Muggleton enjoy a lap of honour after the 1986 grand final. Picture: Action Photographics

“There is obviously a discussion and debate going on at the moment with a lot of legendary players, from the modern era and eras gone by, being tossed up for Immortal status,” Sarantinos said.

“They (Sterling, Kenny, Price and Cronin), among other players, featured in four premierships – ’81, ’82, ’83 and ’86 — and played in other grand finals as well. They left a legacy for our club and the game.

“Those four players also had brilliant individual club careers, stand out representative careers, a long list of personal accomplishments, between Dally M’s, Rothmans’ Medals, Golden Boot, Clive Churchill Medals, the list is endless.

“There should be recognition for the achievements and accomplishments of that team, that era. There were many great players that featured in that team but these four men were the standouts.”

Parramatta RL players Mick Cronin (L) and Ray Price with former Prime Minister Bob Hawke after the team's grand final win over Canterbury in the 1986 grand final.

Others being touted as potential Immortals include Ron Coote, Darren Lockyer, Allan Langer, Johnathan Thurston, Laurie Daley, Steve Rogers, Ken Irvine, Billy Slater, Duncan Thompson, Arthur ‘Pony’ Halloway, Bradley Clyde, Glenn Lazarus, Steve Mortimer, Ricky Stuart, Graham Eadie, Brad Fittler and Greg Inglis.

Legendary Parramatta brothers Ken and Dick Thornett have also been mentioned among Eels fans as possible candidates.

Lock forward Dick played 14 Tests for Australia and 169 games for Parramatta between 1963 and 1971.

A brilliant fullback, Ken, known as the Mayor of Parramatta, played 130 matches for the Eels between 1962 and 1971, along with 12 Tests.

Parramatta’s angst was matched by South Sydney legend Bob McCarthy.

On Monday, McCarthy, who is pushing for Rabbitohs and Roosters legend Ron Cote to be inducted, said: “Is it something against Souths? We’ve won 21 premierships, more than anyone, and only got one Immortal. We should be recognised for those premierships.”

The NRL will also look at adding to their prestigious Hall of Fame.

Originally published as Push for stars of the 1980s Parramatta Eels team to enter Immortals voting race