The NRL has opened the door for Cameron Smith to become rugby league’s next Immortal, after elevating all of Melbourne’s big three to Hall of Fame status. But a 40-year feud has reopened after so-called hardman Les Boyd was one of 11 male players confirmed as Hall of Fame inductees on Wednesday.
Smith’s inclusion ahead of next week’s Immortal announcement comes as one of several for the NRL’s modern-day stars, with Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater among the players to be added to the Hall of Fame. Their former Storm teammate Greg Inglis and Queensland superstar Johnathan Thurston have also been added, alongside Benji Marshall and Sam Burgess.
Australia’s first Indigenous representative Lionel Morgan, Balmain hooker Ben Elias, Brisbane’s four-time premiership winner Steve Renouf and Boyd round out the list of new men’s inductees.
“I’m in awe of this group of players and what they have each done in the game and for the game,” ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys said. “This is the best of the best across several phenomenal eras. The group is full of premiership winners, Dally M Medal winners, Clive Churchill Medal winners, Australia, New Zealand and England representatives.
“There are brilliant halves, powerful and durable forwards and gifted outside backs. All of these players are exceptional.”
But former Penrith and Canterbury prop Darryl Brohman has hit out at the NRL over Boyd’s entry to the Hall of Fame, furious over his on-field record of foul play. Brohman took to social media on Wednesday night to criticise the Hall of Fame selection, in the latest chapter of an ongoing feud between he and Boyd.
Boyd was banned for nine months in 1983 when he broke Brohman’s jaw with a swinging arm, spoiling the Queenslander’s State of Origin debut. Brohman later attempted to sue the NSW forward, with the pair reaching an out-of-court settlement. It was one of a number of incidents through Boyd’s career, including an eye-gouging charge in 1984 that effectively ended his career in Australia.
“Les Boyd…..9 Months suspension for breaking my Jaw in 1983,” Brohman posted on X. “12 Months for Eye gouging Billy Johnston……Gets inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame. Please!!!!”
Theoretically any of the new inductees, along with all other 110 members of the Hall of Fame, are eligible to be granted Immortal status at next Wednesday night’s gala dinner at the SCG. But it is Smith who is the most likely of the current generation to become the game’s next Immortal, as the only player to have featured in more than 400 first-grade games.
Smith is also the most successful State of Origin player in history, and won two World Cups with Australia. NRL rules had previously stopped any player being given Immortal status within five years of their last game, but that has now been reduced to three. In turn, Smith is currently eligible following his 2020 retirement at the Storm.
South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs legend Ron Coote is another option, as are Brian Bevan, Duncan Hall and Ken Irvine after they missed out in 2018. Each is already a member of the Hall of Fame.
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Smith’s long-time Queensland teammate Darren Lockyer may also feature on the shortlist, as could his long-time Brisbane teammate Allan Langer. Thurston could shape as an outside chance, given his achievements at all levels of the game.
Wednesday’s Hall of Fame announcement comes after coaches Wayne Bennett and Jack Gibson were revealed as new inductees last week.
Administrators Ken Arthurson and John Quayle have also been unveiled, along with referees Bill Harrigan and Col Pearce. Broadcasters Frank Hyde and David Morrow have also been confirmed as new members, with the latter told just days before his death last month.
The NRL announced the first six women’s players as Hall of Fame members on Thursday.
