Queensland’s golden generation of Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk will vie to be named rugby league’s next Immortal after officially being elevated into the Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
Smith, who retired after the 2020 grand final and was able to be included in the Hall of Fame intake due to a recent rule change, looms as the favourite to be the 14th Immortal – the highest individual honour in the game.
Players previously needed to be retired for five years before being accepted into the Hall of Fame, but the NRL has relaxed the mandate to three years, allowing Storm champion Smith, the game’s most decorated player, to be in contention.
The ARL Commission will announce its newest Immortal at a black-tie function next Wednesday night.
Smith joins modern-day greats Slater, Inglis, Thurston, Cronk, Sam Burgess and Benji Marshall in the latest Hall of Fame group. They will be inducted alongside the Kangaroos’ first Indigenous rugby league player, Lionel Morgan, fiery forward Les Boyd, Australian, NSW and Balmain hooker Ben Elias and representative centre Steve Renouf.
Boyd was one of the most destructive running forwards of his era, but was also known for serving two massive suspensions, including one for 12 months when he broke the jaw of Queensland rival Darryl Brohman, the long-time popular media commentator, during an Origin match in 1983.
It was Brohman’s Maroons debut, and he later took legal action against Boyd. The pair never mended their relationship.
Queensland and Australia’s golden generation of (left to right) Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.Credit: Paul Rovere
When contacted on Wednesday night, Brohman said: “I think it’s a ridiculous decision. Can someone please explain why he’s now in the Hall of Fame? I don’t agree with it.”
Three matches after returning from the Brohman ban, the Manly star was suspended for a further 15 months when found guilty of gouging Canterbury hooker Billy Johnstone in a game at Brookvale Oval.
The Maroons’ unstoppable State of Origin team featuring Smith, Inglis, Thurston and Cronk won eight straight series between 2006-13, and 11 of 12 in a period of unrivalled interstate dominance.
At the apex of that success was Smith, who finished his career as the only man to have played more than 400 top-grade games, won two Dally M medals and three premierships with the Storm. It led to many experts hailing him the game’s greatest player.
The next Immortal will be the first announced since 2018 when pre-war greats Dally Messenger, Frank Burge and Dave Brown were honoured alongside Norm Provan and Mal Meninga.
Smith has shied away from his name being included in the debate, nominating legends such as Ron Coote, Allan Langer and Darren Lockyer for consideration.
The ARLC will announce a new Immortal every four years.
Les Boyd rips into a raw steak.Credit: John O’Gready
Kiwi international Marshall and English enforcer Burgess helped their clubs win drought-breaking NRL premierships and are now pursuing coaching careers with the Wests Tigers and Warrington respectively.
Burgess is the first English international to be included in the NRL Hall of Fame.
“What an amazing group of players,” ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said. “All different, all deserving in their own right. This list of players includes some of the toughest, the most talented, the greatest players of their generations.
“I’m in awe of this group of players and what they have each done in the game and for the game. This is the best of the best across several phenomenal eras.”
Veteran broadcaster David Morrow was last month announced as a Hall of Fame inductee for his long contribution to the game, just days before his death after a battle with brain cancer.
The NRL confirmed last week the first referees to be included in the Hall of Fame, with Col Pearce and Bill Harrigan recognised.
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