NRL must fast track Ron Coote as next rugby league Immortal | Paul Crawley
While people are quick to talk up Nathan Cleary among rugby league’s greatest ever players, the legendary Ron Coote is still waiting to be named as an Immortal, writes PAUL CRAWLEY.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
When it comes to the debate about who should be rugby league’s next Immortal, it is an absolute no-brainer.
While people were quick to talk up why Nathan Cleary should already be rated among rugby league’s greatest ever players following the Penrith Panthers’ third straight premiership, the legendary Ron Coote is still waiting for his Immortal induction, 45 years after his retirement.
Yet Coote, who won six premierships during his stellar career where he played in nine grand finals all up, is so far in front of the field it is a travesty the now 78-year-old has not already had the game’s highest individual honour bestowed upon him.
But you talk about recency bias stealing the spotlight away from wonderful feats of the past.
The NRL should simply find a way to fast track Coote’s induction, because it is already long overdue.
For a man who has given so much to the game of rugby league, surely it is time to give back.
Coote was back in the headlines this week after revealing the personal turmoil he has been dealing with since losing his home in the heartbreaking 2020 Black Summer bushfires.
Coote spoke bravely about how he had been struggling for the best part of three years to deal with his ongoing anxiety.
Thankfully, Coote has now put himself back in the public spotlight after a breakthrough moment last week where he spoke at a Family of League function at Mollymook on the NSW south coast.
But as heartbreaking as it was to read about Coote’s personal torment, it was also interesting looking at the majority of feedback from so many fans, commenting on why Coote should be the frontrunner in the Immortal debate.
Just looking at the statistics of Coote’s incredible career, it is easy to see why.
Coote won four premierships for South Sydney and two more for the Roosters.
He also played 23 Tests for Australia, while captaining his country on three occasions.
He was also named in the Rugby League Team of the Century in 2008 in the second row, with Immortal Johnny Raper at lock.
And while many of today’s supporters may not have witnessed Coote in action, the legendary Arthur Beetson went as far as to name Coote the best player he ever played against.
If it’s good enough for big Artie, surely it should be good enough for the rest of us.
Throw in the fact that Coote has also been a man who has so generously given back to the game through years of tireless work establishing the Men of League, while always remaining so humble and gracious, and never once bringing an ugly headline on the game.
Yet approaching his 79th birthday later this month, how long will it be before Coote is finally recognised among the game’s most elite group of players?
Phil Gould spoke about it earlier this year when he said Coote and Peter Sterling were his standout contenders to be the next Immortals.
There is certainly no shortage of options, with more recent superstars like Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Darren Lockyer also likely to be one day recognised.
Other names like Allan Langer, Brett Kenny, Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley and Brad Fittler are also worthy of being in the debate, while Wayne Bennett should also be considered as the first coach to join the illustrious list.
As for Cleary, no doubt his time will come if he continues on the path he is at the moment.
But while the NRL is yet to declare when the next round of Immortals will be named, there is no question Coote’s time is now.
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL must fast track Ron Coote as next rugby league Immortal | Paul Crawley
Broncos’ Bellamy blunder: How Brisbane fumbled Bennett successor
It’s the sliding doors moment that cost Brisbane the signing of Craig Bellamy and put Melbourne on the path to a two-decade dynasty. See the inside story of how the Broncos botched their Wayne Bennett succession plan.
Grand Final late mail: Massive boost for Panthers as star cleared
The Penrith Panthers have received a massive boost on the eve of their grand final clash against the Melbourne Storm, with a star forward cleared to play after overcoming injury.