Speculation hits overdrive as NRL announces 14th Immortal will be inducted this year
Updated . First published
The NRL has confirmed a new Immortal will be inducted for the first time since 2018 at the relaunched Hall of Fame ceremony later this year.
The Immortal concept was introduced by the now-defunct Rugby League Week magazine in 1981. Clive Churchill, John Raper, Reg Gasnier, and Bob Fulton were the four original immortals crowned that year.
There are now 13 immortals, with Dave Brown, Frank Burge, Mal Meninga, Dally Messenger, and Norm Provan the most recent players to be inducted.
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The other four Immortals are Andrew Johns, Arthur Beetson, Wally Lewis, and Graeme Langlands.
Speculation will be rife as to which former player will be the 14th Immortal inducted at a ceremony in August.
The NRL confirmed the process around the 2024 Hall of Fame induction will include 11 new male players, six female players, two coaches, two referees, and four media contributors.
Mal Meninga, 2018 NRL immortal. Getty
2GB's David Morrow, who has served over 44 years in commentary for rugby league, will be one of the four contributors inducted in the ceremony.
Morrow stepped down from his role on 2GB's Continuous Call Team in February as he battles brain cancer, marking the end of his 52-year media career.
He was awarded an OAM for services to sport, sports broadcasting and the community in 2005, contributing to the ABC's call team for over four decades before joining 2GB in 2015.
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Other candidates for the honours have yet to be announced, however, the governing sporting body confirmed players must be retired for at least three years - instead of the original five years - to be considered.
David Morrow (right) with Mark Levy (left). Twitter
ARLC chairman Peter V'landys said the ceremony will ensure the esteemed group is appropriately acknowledged to ensure the legacy withholds its prestigious value.
"Those being acknowledged are legends of the game and their achievements through the course of the game's history will now be honoured in the Hall of Fame forever," V'landys said.
"I'm so pleased that the group were unanimous around the induction of David Morrow.
"David is a legendary contributor to the game over many decades and has provided colourful and insightful coverage of the game in his own unique style.
"He has a health battle on his hands and the committee were steadfast in their view that 'Thirsty' should be afforded this recognition as soon as possible."
(L-R) Stacey Jones, Ray Warren, Danny Buderus, Craig Young and Ruben Wiki inducted into the Hall of Fame. Getty
V'landys also confirmed the selection cycle will take place in a new format, with a lone Immortal to be inducted every four years.
Last season, Phil Gould named Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny as his leading candidates to receive the honour.
However, many punters at the time adopted a more current outlook, with Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer, Billy Slater, and Greg Inglis named among the contenders.
But Gould called for the judges to look further back in time to find the new Immortal, stating recent retirees need to "wait a little bit longer."
The ceremony will take place on August 21.
