Immortality the final accolade for Mal Meninga after a life spent in rugby league

AFTER a lifetime spent in rugby league, Mal Meninga has earned his final and greatest accolade by joining the Immortals writes YVONNE SAMPSON.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — AUGUST 01: Mal Meninga poses for photographs after he was named as the 13th Immortal at the 2018 NRL Hall of Fame at Sydney Cricket Ground on August 1, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

MAL Meninga is the most respected man in rugby league bar none.

He commands a room and demands respect.

When he walks into the office at Fox League, some of the best players to have ever graced a footy field are straight to their feet. They offer Mal a firm handshake and then a cup of tea.

Maybe it’s because after all these years he still has a bit of copper in him.

LOCKYER: Val the key to Cowboys revival

SWITCH: Titans poised to land Jacks

You could easily see him as a Superintendent of police, locking up crooks and reading the riot act to scallywags.

LISTEN! Nick Campton and Tim Williams assess whether or not the premiership has become a two-horse race and preview all the action for Round 21.

Subscribe to the League Central podcast on iTunes

I think the respect, though, is more likely borne from his achievements in our game being impossible to argue against. It’s an objective fact — Mal Meninga is an immortal, no question.

Standing on the stage at the Sydney Cricket Ground watching Mal hear his name read out is a highlight of my career broadcasting this sport.

His peers stood and cheered, and Mal just sat there, bowed his head and let the moment crash into him. It was just so special.

Mal’s story is one all Australians should be proud of.

There are few players more respected than Mal Meninga.

His great grandfather was from a tiny island in The Pacific known as Tanna. One day he swam out to a boat that was anchored off the island en route to Maryborough, Queensland.

Unlike some of his fellow islanders, Mal’s ancestor Thomas made a decision to head south. Many of them were forced to go and cut sugar cane — it bordered on slavery. They called it “black birding”.

Strong and healthy, this young man in a foreign place controversially married a white Irish woman. He fought for higher wages, as Islander labourers were paid 10 times less than the average Australian.

“I know though hard work, perseverance, assertiveness and humility your life can be full.” Mal told SBS.

“I believe these are the traits he possessed and made his life full.”

You could say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Meninga has become an Immortal atPhoto by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Mal’s dad Norman was his “hero”. A top class footballer himself, Norm would take Mal and his children all across country Queensland to watch him play.

It’s where our 13th immortal fell in love with the sport.

I spoke to Mal the day after he was immortalised. I mentioned his family history to him, and he was immediately emotional.

“I thought about them too,” Mal said of when he put on the jacket.

This honour wasn’t just about an unstoppable centre from Bundaberg, but a family and culture that has offered so much to this country of ours.

The respect Mal has for his family and his ancestors is what is returned to him in spades. It’s a lesson for us all.

LIVE stream every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. Get your free two-week Foxtel Now trial and start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >