Comparing rugby league teams and players from different eras is impossible and unfair given the game has changed, however the question will be asked – where does this Penrith Panthers side rate among the all-time greats?
In my opinion, we're witnessing a team that'll be talked about for a long, long time to come.
The St George Dragons claimed 11 straight premierships from 1956-1966 and boasted the likes of Reg Gasnier, Graeme Langlands, Norm Provan and John Raper.
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The Parramatta Eels made it three in a row between 1981-1983 and their team featured Peter Sterling, Michael Cronin, Ray Price, Brett Kenny and Eric Grothe.
Fast forward to 2023 and the Panthers are on the verge of claiming their third straight title with modern day superstars like Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o and Dylan Edwards.
Some of the Eels and Dragons players went on to be recognised in the hall of fame, team of the century and some of them were given Immortal status in our game, so it begs the other question; is Cleary on track to become one of the greatest footballers we've ever seen?
Again, it's unfair to put those expectations on someone who's still 25, but his CV reads; two premierships, four grand finals, a Clive Churchill Medallist, 14 games for NSW, five caps for Australia, and he's climbing up the ladder as one of the all-time point scorers.
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Panthers legend Darryl Brohman thinks the Penrith halfback is on track to become "one of the all-time greats" and the team itself has already eclipsed the achievements of the Eels in the 1980s despite not yet claiming their third title.
Brohman told 2GB's The Continuous Call Team, "in the modern era… what you've got to take into account is the Panthers are playing in a fourth straight grand final and they're playing in an era where we've got a salary cap.
"If you take that into account, and given they're playing on a level playing field, in my opinion the Panthers are better."
Panthers 2003 premiership winner Luke Lewis thinks they're a side capable of winning another four more premierships to take their tally to seven because "there's no end point".
Lewis told News Corp over the weekend "most of their team is signed long term… if they win it this year, I feel like they can win another three or four more premierships in a row if they keep that drive".
Phil Gould, Matt Cameron and Dave O'Neill laid the foundations for the success at Penrith with their pathways system which is the envy of every other junior league, they built a state-of-the-art academy to house their football operations and they've created a winning culture that's infectious in the local community.
The supporters are lined 10 deep along the fence after a game at Bluebet Stadium or Friday night's preliminary final at Accor Stadium to have their jerseys signed and to have a selfie with the players.
In some cases, the likes of Cleary, Luai, Crichton and To'o are still out there 20 minutes after a game to ensure no one heads home disappointed.
In the past, these young men and role models have been labelled as "arrogant" which could not be further from the truth. If you're lucky enough to interview or speak to Luai or To'o they make you feel like they're meeting you.
If you want to know what rock star status means, watch the reaction on the fans' faces when these modern-day superheroes walk around the ground to mingle with the supporters.
The Penrith Panthers will be judged on their success on the field, but I honestly believe their greatest achievement at the moment is what they're doing for the kids of western Sydney by inspiring them to make the right choices in life.
It's easy for these youngsters to head down the wrong path and join the gang violence and youth crime that we keep hearing about on the news.
Luai, Crichton and To'o grew up in the notorious suburbs of Mt Druitt and St Marys, so if they can follow their dream of playing in the NRL, imagine the powerful message that sends to these young kids kicking the footy with their mates, aspiring to wear a Panthers jersey?
These blokes have purchased homes for their mothers and fathers through their success on the footy field.
The Penrith Panthers are a juggernaut in this competition. Plenty of teams have tried and failed to spoil the party for the mountain men, but I think they're on track for more premiership glory on Sunday night at Accor Stadium.
Let me know your thoughts by sending through an email to the WWOS Radio show on 2GB by clicking on this link.
Wide World of Sports Radio is heard from 6pm AEDT on 2GB 873am with Mark Levy and co-hosts Shane Flanagan (Monday), Paul Gallen (Tuesday) and Brad Fittler (Wednesday), Ken Sutcliffe (Thursday) and Mark Riddell (Friday).
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