Parramatta’s dynasty, in which they won four premierships between 1981 and 1986, ended 30 years ago. Since then, the Eels have rarely threatened to challenge for a premiership.

They’ve lurched from one disaster to the next off the field – and one embarrassing defeat to the next on it.

It all looked like that could change in 2016 after triumph in the Auckland Nines pre-season competition, and the club’s best start to a campaign since 1986, courtesy of a tough, new-look team that have won six of their nine matches.

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Disaster struck on Tuesday, though, as the NRL stripped the Eels of all 12 of the points they’ve won this season for flagrant salary cap breaches.

They also need to address the $575,000 amount they’re over the cap for 2016 before becoming eligible to play for points again, and have been fined $1 million. That could mean sacking players mid-season.

The Eels beat New Zealand Warriors to win the Auckland Nines. Photo: Getty

They’ve been stripped of their Auckland Nines title and chairman Steve Sharp and four other officials could be out the door.

NRL boss Todd Greenberg said a long-running investigation uncovered “deliberate and sustained cheating” amounting to $3 million of player payments over the cap in the last three years.

The NRL alleges the club has breached the cap every year since 2011.

“I know this is a devastating outcome … the results are disappointing and a stain on our game,” Greenberg said.

“The strong performance from the Eels this year has been great for rugby league and has been great for their huge supporter base.

“We cannot allow any club to continually thumb its nose at the salary cap.

“So we have to go through this pain for both the long-term health of the club and also the game.”

Perhaps the cruellest irony of all for Eels supporters is the club’s recruitment policy has been diabolical over the past five years, signing a succession of ailing stars and journeymen, and paying them (illegally, as it’s transpired) massive overs.

The club has finally assembled a quality squad capable of challenging for the title, but it’ll be forced to start from scratch after nine rounds.

The Melbourne Storm comparison

In the two most infamous and comparable rugby league salary cap precedents, the Bulldogs were stripped of 37 points when they led the competition late in 2002, and Melbourne Storm had two premierships wiped and were prevented from playing for points in 2010.

Former Storm CEO Brian Waldron, who took full accountability for his role in the club’s breaching of the salary cap, applauded the NRL’s handling of the issue in the case of the Eels.

Brian Waldron says the NRL’s penalty still gives the Eels hope. Photo: Getty

“It’s really important that there’s been a clear process by the Integrity Unit,” Waldron told The New Daily.

“Questions will be raised over why, if (the Eels are) $575,000 over the salary cap, are they allowed to participate when Melbourne were not allowed to.

“I think that says more about the fact that the Melbourne penalty was unjust, than the fact (Parramatta’s punishment) is right or wrong.

“I’ve always said that we acted outside the rules … it was the wrong thing to do. I’ve also said I’ve felt the (NRL’s) process was wrong.”

The task facing the Eels

Parramatta now must offload several players before their next game in nine days.

If they can do it before their Round 10 clash against South Sydney, they would probably need to win 12 of their remaining 15 matches to make the finals – a seemingly hopeless equation complicated by captain Kieran Foran’s indefinite absence due to personal issues.

Where there’s life there’s hope, however, and Waldron believes that’s a huge positive for the embattled club.

“Clearly to allow the players to play (for points) is the right thing to do,” he said.

“Players are like children, they’re incredibly resilient. Given they have something to aim for, I don’t think they will do anything but continue to do what they’ve been doing week in, week out, which is play to the best of their ability.

“I certainly wouldn’t want to come up against them next weekend.”