Blog
The following 11 NRL Hall of Fame honorees are honored as they “changed the game.”
Reactions erupted as the NRL revealed the record-breaking class of 11 entrants into the NRL Hall of Fame.
Along with former Souths captain Sam Burgess, New Zealand and Tigers star Benji Marshall, indigenous trailblazer Lionel Morgan, Kangaroos star of the 1970s and 1980s Les Boyd, NSW and Tigers legend Benny Elias, and four-time premiership winner and Broncos leading try-scorer Steve Renouf, other notable figures in Queensland history include Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, and Greg Inglis.
This year’s inductees into the NRL Hall of Fame include broadcast stalwarts Frank Hyde and David Morrow, coaches Wayne Bennett and Jack Gibson, administrators Ken Arthurson and John Quayle, and these 11 distinguished figures.
In an NRL statement, ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys remarked, “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 pinnacle of many wonderful times. Premiership winners, Dally M Medal winners, Clive Churchill Medal winners, and representatives from Australia, New Zealand, and England are all included in the group.
What a talented bunch of athletes. Each unique and worthy in its own right. Some of the hardest, most gifted, and best players of their respective generations are represented on this list of athletes.
The legendary Billy Slater of the Maroons and Storm was singled out by Fox League’s James Hooper as a player who “changed the way fullbacks play.”
“It was this kid, who came down from Innisfail in North Queensland and had been a trackwork jockey for Gai Waterhouse, that I remember writing the first story about for The Daily Telegraph,” Hooper said on NRL360.
“You know what they say about innovators? Trackwork jockey completely changed the way fullbacks play the game. When I heard about him, I thought, ‘How was this guy going to make it in the NRL?'”
“What an incredible superstar, even though he had some setbacks throughout his career.”
Hooper also credited Benny Elias as an innovator of his position.
“When you speak to players in Benny’s era, they speak about how he was an innovator – he changed the way that dummy halves played the game,” Hooper said.
The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis said NRL games leader Cameron Smith was the standout on the list of the 11 inductees.
“For mine it’s Cameron Smith. You look at what he achieved in the game. His ability to influence the game with a sleight of hand, his durability and his subtle play separated him from everyone.
James Graham meanwhile, couldn’t go past his fellow countryman Sam Burgess, who became the first Englishman inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.
“I’m so proud of his achievements, what he’s done in the game as a player and now starting out as a coach,” Graham said.
“We shared the battle a number of times against one another and as England teammates I’m so proud of him, as is everyone connected with English rugby league.”
All of the 2024 Hall-0f-Fame inductees will be celebrated at a ceremony at the SCG on August 21.
-
Birmingham City1 year agoIf Birmingham City’s £450k signing is confirmed, they will win big: Look at
-
Blog1 year agoLeeds United bestätigt den Abgang des Verteidigers aus der Bundesliga, nachdem man sich über einen Deal geeinigt hat.
-
Blog1 year agoDONE DEAL: LSU Tigers Football Just Confirm THE Signing Another Top Experienced Star Player
-
Borussia Mönchengladbach1 year agoBERICHT: Leeds United hat bereits Forderungen für Max Wober gestellt, Transfer wird nun diskutiert
-
Tennis1 year agoREPORT: After departing from Madrid, Emma Raducanu m….
-
Blog1 year agoBerita Sedih: Jurulatih Terengganu, Tomislav Steinbrückner mengancam untuk meninggalkan jika…
-
Geaux Tigers!1 year agoHead Coach Brian Kelly Highlighted New Tactical Shifts to Optimize LSU Tigers Football Performance…
-
Blog12 months agoBREAKING NEWS: Norwich City adds a new twist to Leeds United and Marseille’s interest in Read More..