Broncos ironman Petero Civoniceva, Manly icon Cliff Lyons and Raiders playmaker Ricky Stuart are among the new faces to be added to the NRL's Hall of Fame.
The trio will be inducted in a ceremony in Sydney on August 1, where Sea Eagles record-breaker Steve Menzies, Brisbane and Dragons enforcer Gordon Tallis and Mark Graham, the all-time great Kiwi forward, will also join the distinguished list.
Green machine man: Ricky Stuart during his playing days for Canberra.
Photo: Supplied
The six inductees were were selected by a panel of 25 judges, who each submitted their top five players to be included in the latest intake.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said the six were highly deserving and both inspired and energised the game for their clubs, states and country.
“I dont think anyone would doubt that these six players deserve to be ranked among the very best,”
Greenberg said.
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“Whether it was their speed, skill, stamina, toughness or passion, they each displayed the
characteristics required to retain a special place in the history of our game.
“They will become the first inductees into the NRL Hall of Fame since the games centenary in
2008.”
It's been a decade since a new crop of players has joined the HOF, with NRL awards manager Frank Puletua saying the players picked all had a huge impact on the game.
“This is the first time in a long time we are recognising those past players who have had a profound
impact on our great game,” Puletua said. “It is going to be a special evening to share with all fans of rugby league."
Civoniceva was an indestructible prop who played 309 club games, 45 Tests for Australia and 33 Origins for Queensland. Lyons (332 games for Manly, six Tests, six Origins for NSW) was ever scheming from five-eighth, while Stuart was a triple premiership winner with the Raiders and scored one of the most famous tries in Kangaroos history.
Tallis (214 games, three premierships, 13 Tests, 17 Origins for Qld) was a brute in the back row, Menzies (349 games, 15 Tests, 20 Origins) is fourth on the all-time games list and Graham (146 games for North Sydney, 28 Tests for NZ) was voted the greatest Kiwi player in the century spanning 1907-2006.
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