What’s the Buzz: Call to make supercoach Wayne Bennett an Immortal

He has just about won it all as a coach, but should Wayne Bennett get the biggest honour in rugby league? Have your say inside.

Maroons coach Wayne Bennett celebrates Queensland’s 2020 State of Origin triumph.

One of the original judges of the Immortals from the 1980s has thrown his support behind old super coach Wayne Bennett being inducted into rugby league’s most exclusive club.

Geoff Prenter, now 84, is the former editor of Rugby League Week, the magazine that launched the Immortals in 1981 with the selection of Clive Churchill, Bob Fulton, Johnny Raper and Reg Gasnier.

There has been speculation Bennett could be a bombshell candidate for his magnificent contribution as a coach, rather than as a player.

There has been speculation Wayne Bennett could be a bombshell candidate for the Immortals.

“If they are going to broaden the criteria, Wayne would be a walk-in,” Prenter said.

“It was players only at the start but it’s probably time to consider Bennett.

“He’s an absolute icon of the game. His contribution to the game is unparalleled.”

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Should Wayne Bennett be an immortal

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) June 10, 2023

It is understood independent commission boss Peter V’landys would like to put Bennett’s name before the selection panel for consideration given his influence in rugby league over such a long period of time.

Forget Friday night’s terrible loss to Manly in which he was missing many of his star recruits … the man has won six premierships and recently coached his 900th NRL game.

Queensland stars Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater celebrate a State of Origin triumph.

The NRL is also to consider inducting Maroons legends Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston as Immortals later this year. There will be little debate around their nominations. Both will have been retired for five years by the end of the season, which meets the ‘cooling off’ criteria for selection of players.

There is no question the champion Storm fullback and Cowboys halfback have done enough to earn the highest honour alongside the 13 inducted champions. Both are considered among the greatest players of all time, Slater in 317 NRL games for Storm, 31 Origin games and 30 appearances for the Kangaroos.

Thurston played 323 NRL matches, 37 games for the Maroons and 38 for Australia.

It is now five years since the NRL last added an Immortal.

There are other ex-players who need to be considered next time around by the selection panel.

Darren Lockyer and Wayne Bennett celebrate after winning the 2006 NRL grand final. Picture: Getty Images

Darren Lockyer played 355 games for the Broncos over 17 seasons and captained both Queensland and Australia. He has won a Clive Churchill Medal, twice won the Golden Boot plus eight individual Dally M Awards as a fullback, five-eighth and representative player of the year.

And finally, the great Ron Coote, often spoken about as the best ever player not to be named an Immortal – a champion lock and winner of six grand finals at South Sydney and the Roosters.

Plus, he made an even greater contribution as the chairman of the Men Of League Foundation.