Mal Meninga believes he's no chance at joining Immortals due to media dislike

PARANOID Mal Meninga believes he won't be voted in as an Immortal because the media don't like him.

PARANOID Mal Meninga believes he won't be voted in as an Immortal because the media don't like him.

Fresh from saying he was "sick" of Blues fans, players and officials discussing the refereering howlers that marred Origin I, Meninga yesterday fired up the conspiracy theory to pre-empt his probable over-looking by the panel of judges later this month.

Andrew Johns is the favourite to be inducted in the Rugby League Week's illustrious panel, but it's understood there is also a strong push to recognise a player from an earlier era than when Meninga and Johns starred.

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The current Immortals are Clive Churchill, Reg Gasnier, Bob Fulton, John Raper, Wally Lewis, Graeme Langlands and Arthur Beetson.

"I'm not very confident," Meninga said.

"I haven't got a good reputation with the media, I haven't all these years and they are the ones who select it.

"I won't lose any sleep if I'm not picked ... but I would be honoured."

Of the 18-man voting panel, 11 have links to the media, including Channel 9 commentator Ray Warren, Daily Telegraph Sports Editor-at-Large Phil Rothfield and former RLW editors Geoff Prenter, Tony Durkin, Norm Tasker and Ian Heads.

ARL Commission chairman John Grant and master coach Wayne Bennett, both Queenslanders, have voting rights. The current Immortals also have a say in the selection process.

An RLW spokesman yesterday gave assurances the panel did not have an anti-Meninga sentiment.

Meninga said he considered his naming in the Australian Rugby League's Hall of Fame in 2003 as a greater honour than possible elevation to Immortal status.

"I actually hold the Hall of Fame more importantly, that's just my opinion," Meninga said.

Meninga's inclusion in the Team of the Century raised questions at the time - and allegations of Queensland-based judges voting in a bloc rather than on merit - when he was chosen in the centres alongside Reg Gasnier.

Amazingly, the judging panel picked Meninga ahead of the Immortals Fulton and Langlands, both of who were relegated to the bench.

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