Members of the gutsiest Manly side of all time have implored the modern day team to carve out their own piece of history by carrying their battered and bruised bodies to finals glory.
The deeds of the 1978 Sea Eagles team, who won six games in 24 days to clinch the grand final in a replay, will never again be matched but there are comparisons to the challenges facing the 2010 team.
Like their counterparts 32 years ago, Manly will limp into the play-offs on Sunday without several injured and suspended players and having already been written off.
Former Manly halfback John Gibbs, who missed the 1978 decider through injury, believes the challenges facing Des Hasler's men are not unlike those encountered by his team.
"There are some similarities from '78 to this side," Gibbs said in the build-up to Manly's daunting showdown with minor premiers St George Illawarra.
"I tore my hamstring, many others were out and Steve Knight got suspended but we had to keep winning against all odds."
"I know (1978 coach) Frank Stanton rates it right up there with the best he's seen."
"There is no doubt '78 is a great moment in Manly history but this side can carve out their own piece of history starting on Sunday."
"It's going to be a very tall mountain but if they win it will be one of the great wins in the club's history."
The skipper of Manly's 1978 side, hooker Max Krilich, believes the Sea Eagles can defy the odds and upset the high-flying Dragons – if they have enough self-belief.
"We stood tall in 1978 - it was backs to the wall stuff every game,'' he said.
"We had major injuries like they do today. Every player was needled up."
"The current side has to dig deep. The Dragons are only human - they have two arms, two legs and one head."
"They aren't robots.''
Gibbs added: "It's a game of football, it's a rough hope and anything can happen."
"I know one thing - eight other teams wish they were in Manly's position right now."