Ray Price /

Premiership-Winning Captain 1986

IT was a privilege and honour to captain this great club to a premiership in 1986.

I didn’t really want the captaincy, but I made sure I used it to lead by example and try to inspire my teammates. 

In many ways it was a dream job.

After all, we had the best team, the best coaches and the best fans.

It still gives me a buzz now when I walk into a football ground and people want to stop me for chat.

Our supporters would bleed for the blue and gold and that's what we did as players too.

I had a remarkable career and to retire as captain and go out as a winner is something that I will always cherish.

For a kid who grew up playing juniors in the area, all I wanted to do was play for the Eels.

I was lucky enough to not only do that, but also play in four premiership-winning teams for the mighty Eels alongside some very gifted players.

I never took it for granted.

For me the 1986 premiership probably meant the most.

Despite two disallowed tries to Bert (Brett Kenny), we were not going to give in.

I got hit hard in a tackle and was concussed, but they weren't going to get me off the field.

No way.

Canterbury made us earn that win but we held them out.

To be chaired off the SCG by my mates at fulltime and to retire with The Crow (Mick Cronin) was very special.

I decided to retire because I thought it was better for me to quit the game, rather than the game to quit me.

Hawkey (Prime Minister Bob Hawke) was there to celebrate, the grandstands just erupted and the Parramatta faithful partied for days.

And if you have wondered how we kept all our stars together – like Sterling, Kenny, Grothe, Ella, Cronin, etc – well, I have a little story for you. 

At one point there was a bit of talk among a few of the players that they had been offered opportunities to play for a few cashed-up clubs, including Manly.  

I gathered all the players together in a private setting and asked them what was going on.

Once they finished speaking, it was my turn.

I simply said, “if you go to Manly, just remember that you have to play us twice, and I'm going to make it my job to belt the s*&% out of ya!” They stayed and the rest is history.