On the 27th March 1983, a season seat at Endeavour Field was priced at $60, Laura Branigan's "Gloria" was riding high at the top of the ARIA charts, on average a loaf of bread and bottle of milk were only 78c each, and Bob Hawke was leading the country.
Eighteen rugby league seasons later, on the 8th July 2000, $240 would have got you a season seat at Toyota Park, the Bomfunk MC's track "Freestyler" was rocking the charts, GST was here to stay, as were the Melbourne Storm, and unfortunately the Cronulla Sharks had yet to win a title.
But between these two dates lies a period of utmost significance for the black, white, and blue. It was during this time that the faithful followers of the Sharks, as well as the broader rugby league community, were privileged to witness the illustrious career of one of the game's most electrifying players, Cronulla Sharks Immortal, Andrew 'ET' Ettingshausen.
His remarkable journey commenced during this week in 1983 - March 27 at Orana Park, Campbelltown in the Round 5 clash with the Newtown Jets.
After starting the year in reserve grade, ET, a Year 12 student at nearby De La Salle College, Cronulla, was called into first grade to replace Mick Mullane by coach Terry Fearnley. ET had previously toured with the Australian Schoolboys and thus had been earmarked for a successful top-level career.
ET's debut was memorable, crossing for a try after collecting a short pass from Kiwi international Kurt Sorensen and outsprinting Jets fullback Ron Sigsworth to the corner. Cronulla won the match 26-24, with ET's form good enough to warrant a spot in the starting side the following week against the Canberra Raiders.
Cronulla unfortunately lost that match 24-8 with Fearnley opting for Ian Forrest at fullback for the next match against the North Sydney Bears. A young ET returned to reserve grade where he continued his apprenticeship under coach John Maguire. The remainder of the '83 season saw ET switch between first and reserve grade as he nursed a number of niggling injuries, a clear reflection of his relatively slight teenage physique.
His progression to stardom was further stifled in 1984 when he was diagnosed with hypoglycemia which caused him constant blackouts, limiting his time on the football paddock.
By the time the 1985 season rolled around, ET's trajectory to club Immortality had launched as he established himself as one of the most potent attacking weapons in the NSWRL. His breakout year culminated in his selection in the President's XIII to tour Papua New Guinea along with fellow Sharks David Hatch, Jonathan Docking and Dean Carney.
In the Pictorial Newspaper, ET wrote: "The Australian Rugby League's President's XIII was bigger than the Beatles and a great deal more harmonious when it touched down in Port Moresby last week for a four day hit and run mission to Papua New Guinea. It was love at first sight for us and this steamy, tropical spot where we were mobbed by thousands of fans upon arrival at Moresby Airport."
Ettingshausen made his state debut in 1987 and his national debut a year later, representing Australia in the first test against the touring Great Britain Lions.
In 1995, Ettingshausen assumed the role of captain for the Cronulla Sharks. Under his leadership, the team experienced one of its most successful periods, culminating in being runners-up in 1997 and achieving minor premiers status in 1999.
Such was his try-scoring prowess, not once, but on two occasions ET crossed for five tries in a match – the first in 1989 in a match against the Illawarra Steelers, the second in 1994 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
ET's illustrious career came to a close on July 8, 2000, during a home match against the Auckland Warriors, due to a season-ending injury. Despite his injury, over 21,000 devoted fans flocked to Shark Park on July 23, 2000, to bid farewell to the club legend in a poignant display of gratitude and admiration.
As he completed his lap of honor along with fellow retiree Mitch Healey, ET had amassed an impressive 485 first-class games (328 for Cronulla) and scored 257 tries, totalling 1030 points. He had represented his state on 27 occasions and worn the green and gold of his country in 44 matches.
In 2003, ET was bestowed the honour of being named a club Immortal and in 2017 named in the centres alongside Steve Rogers in the Sharks Team of the Half Century.
In 2008, ET became the 91st inductee into the NRL Hall of Fame.
Andrew Ettingshausen fact file
Nickname: ET
Position: Primarily centre, also played fullback, five eighth and winger for Cronulla
Playing height and weight: 182 cm (6 foot) 83kg (13 stone 1lb)
Years at club: 1983-2000
Player number: 166
Games for club: 354 – 328 in first grade and 26 in reserve grade
Debut: Round 5, Sunday 27 March 1983 against Newtown at Orana Park, Campbelltown
Last game: Round 23 Saturday 8 July 2000 against the Warriors at Toyota Park
Statistics for Cronulla: 165 tries (club record), one goal, 662 points in first grade. He also notched 10 ten tries in reserve grade for a grand total of 706 points
Representative football: 25 test matches and four matches for Super League Australia, scoring 14 tries in the united games and none in Super League. Of those 29 games he played for Australia, they won 23
Games for NSW: 27 State of Origins and three in the Super League era, scoring seven tries in the combined leagues and three in Super League. Of the 27 State of Origins he played, NSW won 15
Sydney (City Origin): 8 games, scoring four tries
English club: Leeds - 41 games, 1986-89, scoring 30 tries for 120 points
