They might be two decades older, a lot wiser and a little larger.

But one thing has not changed. The Eagles of 2006 will always be the true owners of West Coast’s third premiershjp.

To celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the one-point triumph over Sydney – one of six consecutive epic battles against the Swans from 2005 to 2007 that were decided by a combined total of 13 points – the ’06 players were feted before and during the Eagles’ clash with Richmond on Saturday at Optus Stadium.

The headliners were hardly surprising - Chris Judd and Ben Cousins, two of the pre-eminent midfielders of the era, along with Andrew Embley, the Norm Smith medallist, and the coach John Worsfold.

There was full-back Darren Glass, who held talismanic Swans spearhead Barry Hall goalless on that day 20 years earlier, and looking like he could still stand shoulder to shoulder with the competition’s best.

There was Beau Waters, Michael Braun, Brett Jones, Rowan Jones, David Wirrpanda, Mark Seaby, Sam Butler and Daniel Chick, whose tackle, smother, handball and shepherd led to an Adam Hunter goal late in the final term in the 2006 decider that was considered not only a turning point of the game but one of the great grand final moments.

Chick had not lost his cheekiness either, happy to accept a beer from a fan on the other side of the fence.

It was a celebration against a backdrop of sadness, with 2006 premiership players Hunter and Adam Selwood remembered after both died last year.

Ruckman Dean Cox, who finished third in Norm Smith Medal voting after a grand final for the ages, was absent as he will be coaching Sydney against Melbourne on Sunday at the SCG.

The 2006 premiership heroes watched their contemporaries’ pre-game warm up in the bowels of Optus Stadium before making their way out on to the ground where they were then presented to the crowd and stood alongside their partners, children and parents.

The golden oldies formed a guard of honour for the current day Eagles as they ran out on to the ground – and high fived every one of their sporting alumni.

The ‘06 players also took part in a half-time lap of honour.

“It’s been a great few days to be able to share an incredible 20 years now,” Embley said during the break.

“It’s a great chance to reflect on a really special time for the club.”

Judd said it was “like going back in a time machine”.

“Braun is in very good nick and Tyson Stenglein hasn’t aged a day and Ben Cousins is still looking fighting fit,” he said.

Embley drew the biggest cheer, as he did It on September 30, 2006, when he collected 26 possessions, had six bounces and kicked two goals.

It capped off a big 48 hours of celebration after the mid-noughties superstars on Friday night joined the inaugural Eagles from 1987 for a gala dinner at Crown on Friday night, which doubled as a Hall of Fame induction.

Members of their first two flags, Worsfold, Glen Jakovich, Guy McKenna and Peter Matera, were elevated to legend status, while Embley, Drew Banfield and the club’s all-time leading goal kicker Josh Kennedy, were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The gala celebration dinner also marked the 40th season since the Eagles’ first game – fittingly against Richmond – at Subiaco Oval.