14th Immortal

[Frogz]

The whole concept is flawed. Deciding in advance how many to induct in every X no. of years shows it is nothing to do with whether or not a player is really a generational talent, it's simply a vehicle for promoting the game/broadcasters/merchandisers etc.
Which is fine if that's how they want to go, but if so let's do it properly: An Immortal for every season. Or maybe for every Round!
This weeks Immortal ... congratulations Kaeo, a great performance!

(Nothing against Ron Coote, who was obviously a champion player)

The NRL did take it over in 2018. From then on its open to all and sundry. Hence why Smith, Slater etc are all being nominated already. Forget the rest of the 70's. 80's and 90's.

 

[Frogz]

As much as we don’t like them I think Cam Smith need to be immortal alongside John’s. They both dominated in their time.

I don’t buy into Lockyer or Slater at all.

Great to see Coote get this one. A no-brainer. Wow he was mobile and fast as a forward.

NYEagle

I wonder what would of happened to Smith, Slate etc if Melbourne had copped a real punishment and the team was pulled apart to start again. Smith at Broncos, Slater elsewhere etc. They only lost a few

 

[wombatgc]

Well done Ron Coote.

14th Immortal.

Glad they went back to that era. Personally I wanted Brett Kenny in there.(even after ‘82 & ‘83!).

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

There’s plenty of time for Smith & Co they’re all still young.

There’s players due from the 80’s /90’s , Sterling , Kenny , Lazarus cone to mind.

 

[HoldenV8]

Glad they went back to that era. Personally I wanted Brett Kenny in there.(even after ‘82 & ‘83!).

The only 2 names on the shortlist that probably would never have caused controversy had they got the honour were Ken Irvine and Ron Coote.

I'm not saying Coote was only picked as a feelgood thing. IMO this was a LONG time coming for him. Coote should have been an original in 1981, not instead of, but as a 5th with the original 4. In fact I'd go so far as to say I think the original 4 should have been original 6 because Langlands should have been there too.

I get the feeling that Coote will be the last pre-1980s player to get Immortal status. Its probably the end of an era.

 

[wombatgc]

The only 2 names on the shortlist that probably would never have caused controversy had they got the honour were Ken Irvine and Ron Coote.

I'm not saying Coote was only picked as a feelgood thing. IMO this was a LONG time coming for him. Coote should have been an original in 1981, not instead of, but as a 5th with the original 4. In fact I'd go so far as to say I think the original 4 should have been original 6 because Langlands should have been there too.

I get the feeling that Coote will be the last pre-1980s player to get Immortal status. Its probably the end of an era.

Yes, unfortunately I think that will be the case as well.
The reason I brought up Kenny was probably triggered from watching him (and the Pearl) on Matty Johns show last week.


In previous years it had been well documented that Kenny has been through hell and back personally and mentally.
He was the only one in Origin that could keep Wally in check. In fact he played some of his best footy against Wally.

He sounded and looked great on the MJs show. The best was when Fletch brought up the ‘Raygun’ subject. Fletch thought she’d done ok. Kenny said it was ****t. Fletch then counters with she did her best, to which Kenny just says with a deadpan look, Yeah she did her best, and it was still shiit! Then sensing he’s on a roll, follows up with, I’ve seen 2 years old throw a tantrum better than that!
At this time, I think the producer was in Johns’ ear telling him to move
it along, Bert is on fire, he thinks he’s back in ‘83, no telling what he’s going to say next.

*also I had this recurring nightmare last night that the Tigers beat us in our run to the finals! Did anyone else have a similar nightmare experience?!

 

[HoldenV8]

Yes, unfortunately I think that will be the case as well.
The reason I brought up Kenny was probably triggered from watching him (and the Pearl) on Matty Johns show last week.


In previous years it had been well documented that Kenny has been through hell and back personally and mentally.
He was the only one in Origin that could keep Wally in check. In fact he played some of his best footy against Wally.

He sounded and looked great on the MJs show. The best was when Fletch brought up the ‘Raygun’ subject. Fletch thought she’d done ok. Kenny said it was ****t. Fletch then counters with she did her best, to which Kenny just says with a deadpan look, Yeah she did her best, and it was still shiit! Then sensing he’s on a roll, follows up with, I’ve seen 2 years old throw a tantrum better than that!
At this time, I think the producer was in Johns’ ear telling him to move
it along, Bert is on fire, he thinks he’s back in ‘83, no telling what he’s going to say next.

*also I had this recurring nightmare last night that the Tigers beat us in our run to the finals! Did anyone else have a similar nightmare experience?!

Bert SHOULD be the next Immortal, but in reality they'll probably start inducting the Qld Dynasty contingent next ... Lockyer, Smith at the very least.

 

[The Insomniac]

Gee it seems a dangerous job being one of these immortals. They have a 72% fatality rate. There needs to be an investigation !

 

[Buck]

These might sound like silly questions but firstly, what actually defines an Immortal over others nominated? Surely is can't simply be based on a panel members opinion. How does a player get nominated & considered but may not get honoured for perhaps another 2 or 3 Immortal selection periods? I would have thought that if there is a defined set of criteria that qualifies an Immortal over those who were simply great players, then that player is recognised as an Immortal immediately (you either are or you aren't). Ron Coote & Norm Provan are 2 who come immediately to mind (& both well deserved of the honour). It can wrongly appear as though a player who is continually nominated but misses out just has to wait until they come up against weaker competition. The whole process seems to lack consistency, logic & transparency.

 

[bob dylan]

That's interesting. In 50 there would have been some stand outs We each see things differently which is a good thing. What would you say are some of the things for John's to be Numero Uno.

The only thing that puts him in front of Lewis is goal kicking. They both had every other skill in the game.

 

[Bearfax]

I've always had favour with Wally Lewis, who in my opinion was the best player I've ever seen and who we only saw patches of at the last few years of his career. Almost a Manly player as well. Love Napper Lyons who I consider the second best player to have played for Manly, but neither he nor Kenny were in that class, despite both being outstanding. Some have knocked Lockyer who I also consider a class act who adapted easily from full back to five eighth and always gave Manly trouble. Cam Smith? loved to see him lose, but he was one of the best and deserves consideration. Slater? Top full back but no better than Brett Stewart and not as good as Eadie. Irvine definitely. Lazarus, the only player to be in three different premiership winning teams deserves a look. Thurston? And in future will Menzies, the top forward try scorer by a long way, be considered? A bit Manly oriented, but hey, we've had some great players.