Former Randwick rugby union fullback Ken Thornett came from England on loan from Leeds.

He played seven matches for Parramatta; they won six and drew the other.

That's 13 competition points. Parramatta qualified for the semi-finals on 20 points, meaning they gained just seven points from an available 22 without Thornett.

Without him, they lost their semi-final to Western Suburbs 6-0.

Jarryd Hayne hasn't come from the clouds, Leeds or anywhere else.

The Eels fullback was already an Origin and international player when Parramatta were three points from the bottom just 10 weeks ago.

It just seems like a Hayne never seen before has joined the club.

Now Hayne is more than in the clouds; he's a superstar up in the stratosphere.

No superlative seems too great, no act of sorcery beyond him.

Like every other sport, rugby league needs stars and they don't shine any brighter than Hayne.

Not even Thornett in that first, magical cameo.

But Parramatta haven't just made this Sunday's grand final on Hayne's brilliance, though that has been indispensable.

They've made it as a team feeding on confidence and self-belief.

They've made it because they're a team and lesser stars have reached heights they didn't seem capable of.

Veteran Joe Gulavao had his best game of the season in the 22-12 win over the Bulldogs in last Friday night's sudden-death preliminary final.

And the Eels have players like half Jeff Robson, rewarded with man-of-the-match recognition last Friday.

And Todd Lowrie, who has been among the Eels' best for weeks.

The tragedy is some of these lesser stars will have to shine elsewhere after Sunday because of salary-cap restrictions.

Also tragic will be if captain Nathan Cayless's hamstring injury prevents his playing in the grand final.

Cayless said before last Friday night all that was asked of the players was that they gave their all.

He was an early casualty and couldn't give his all.

The others did, including Gualavo, who came on early to replace him.

It won't be tragic if Parramatta lose on Sunday.

They've already triumphed in this most memorable of late-season surges and they'll give their all.

All the wise heads have given the players the same advice about coping with the week and the game: enjoy it.

That should be the Eels fans' attitude. They've much to be grateful for.