NRL Hall of Fame: Ron Coote announced as 14th Immortal
- Ron Coote has been elevated to immortal status by the NRL
- The legendary player received the honor on Wednesday night
- He was selected ahead of Cameron Smith and Darren Lockyer
Ron Coote has been immortalised at the NRL Hall of Fame ceremony in Sydney.
Coote was officially unveiled as the latest Immortal at a gala dinner at the SCG on Wednesday, rewarding a career that dominated the 1960s and 70s.
Coote was chosen over Cameron Smith, Darren Lockyer, Allan Langer, Brett Kenny, Peter Sterling, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Ken Irvine.
Coote had long been considered a leading candidate for the title of Immortal and had been considered for all previous nominations.
But he was narrowly overlooked each time, suggesting the opportunity eluded him.
But Wednesday night’s promotion changes that situation in many ways for one of the greatest players ever.
“I’m a bit speechless at the moment,” said an emotional Coote.
‘I never thought I would cry when I was 80, but I did.
Ron Coote has been elevated to immortal status by the NRL
The football legend had to wait a long time to achieve the status upgrade
“For me it’s just sensational, I never thought it would happen. I’ve been to this event a few times and this time I got the gong… I really appreciate it.”
The tall forward won the championship four times with South Sydney between 1967 and 1971, before moving to Eastern Suburbs where he won two more in 1974 and 1975.
He was named man of the match in the 1971 deciding match and is one of only five players to have appeared in nine major finals.
“I’ve had a great life. I attribute that to the opportunity I’ve been given playing rugby league,” he said.
‘I think it’s the best game in the world.
‘I want to thank everyone here tonight for the applause and say keep following rugby league because you will get a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from a great game.’
Such was his stature that the great Arthur Beetson once called Coote ‘the best finals player in the world’.
Coote was voted Australia’s best player in the 1970 Ashes, scoring 13 times in 23 Tests for the Kangaroos.
South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters are still battling for a trophy in his name, with the 79-year-old being one of the best players in the history of both clubs.
But after Wednesday night he could now have the equally important honour of being one of rugby league’s 14 immortals.
Coote’s appointment came as the NRL officially inducted all new members into the Hall of Fame, including Smith, Thurston, Slater, Cooper Cronk and Benji Marshall.
Natalie Dwyer, Katrina Fanning, Tarsha Gale, Veronica White, Karyn Murphy and Tahnee Norris also became the first female members, while Wayne Bennett and Jack Gibson were added as coaches.