Young half-back Greg Alexander was crowned Dally M player of the year as he helped steer the Panthers to their first semi-final appearance in the club's 18-year history.

The town celebrated as if they had won the premiership when Penrith defeated Manly 10-7 in the play-off for fifth spot.

They crashed back to earth a few days later when they were eliminated by Parramatta.

Sun photographer Gary Warrick always had a great view from the sidelines at what was then known as Penrith Park.

This photo (left) of tough forward Matt Goodwin against South Sydney on April 28, 1985 is one of his personal favourites, which made the cover of Rugby League Week.

To kick off this new regular segment looking at where yesterday's heroes are today, the Star tracked down Goodwin, who scored 10 tries in 108 first grade games for Penrith between 1983 and 1989.

He captained the side once and was named club player of the year in 1987.

He had three injury-riddled seasons with Parramatta, then Souths, before he retired in 1992.

``1985 was an exciting time for Penrith,'' Goodwin recalled.

``We had a young side.

``Some of them went on to win the title in 1991.''

Goodwin recently returned to Penrith to play in a Golden Oldies match to celebrate the Panthers 1000th game.

``It brings back fond memories every time I go back there,'' he said.

``It's like a second home.''

When he retired, Goodwin returned to West Wyalong in country NSW, where he's now general manager of McClintock Group, a farming dealership company.

Goodwin is also in the middle of harvest season at his 16 hectare sheep/wheat farm, which has been affected by drought for eight years.

He remained involved in rugby league, coaching West Wyalong in the Group 11 competition, was club and group president and had three sons in the junior ranks.

One of his boys, Lou, 18, will play in the under-20 Toyota Cup next year after he recently signed a two-year deal with the Sydney Roosters.

The game has changed in the past 25 years, according to Goodwin.

``We had full-time jobs on top of training,'' he said.

``Today, players have access to a lot more resources than we did.

``The 10 metre rule has also opened up the game.''

Goodwin has mixed feelings about a western Sydney AFL team.

``Only so many kids make the top grade, so it's good kids have a choice of league, AFL, soccer and union,'' he said. ``I think AFL may struggle, as Penrith has one of the biggest junior leagues in the southern hemisphere.''