This was always a match for only the most ardent Eels supporters.
Even club legends, gathered together to celebrate those golden years through the 80s when the club won four premierships in six years, were caught cramming the match-day program prior to kick-off, searching for any resemblance of the character that the likes of Kenny, Wynn, Cronin and Sterling once possessed in the famous blue and gold jumper.
Today, Ricky Stuart will join the search party.
To be fair, the Eels gave the sniff of an upset in the opening 10 minutes as the home side, pumped full of emotion, rolled through their sets with vigour and fast play-the-balls.
The problem was, their collection of rookies, unwanted and ageing players failed to take advantage of perfect field position and try-scoring opportunities.
Their game was a total conflict. A superb carry from Fuifui Moimoi quickly resulted in a drop ball. A classic last-ditch tackle from Tim Mannah brought the fans to their feet. An ill-directed kick from Ben Roberts, sat them back down.
By the 20th minute, the Eels had turned the footy over seven times, three times when deep on the attack.
A fear of failure does that.
Meanwhile, their opposition Manly, did the opposite.
The Sea Eagles are serious premiership contenders, that's obvious.
But what Manly showed last night was that there are deeper layers to this side than just first half try-scoring highlights from former Parramatta players Jorge Taufua, David Williams and Justin Horo.
They showed resilience, composure and the class to make the Eels pay every time they coughed up.
The match was over at half time with the Sea Eagles leading 16-0 nil. Second half tries to Tafua, Williams, Anthony Watmough, Daly Cherry-Evans and Brett Stewart sealed their dominant victory.
But it was their toughness that would have pleased coach Geoff Toovey most.
During the match the Sea Eagles resembled all the guile, class and experience of a heavyweight boxer.
They absorbed the flurry of punches from their excited opposition before unloading with a clinical combination of body blows to leave the Eels breathless.
Billed as a re-match between Manly's Steve Matai and Parramatta's Mitchell Allgood following their stoush last month, the only hint of fire came five minutes from fulltime when Jamie Buhrer needed to be separated from a gang of blue and gold jumpers.
