LEGENDARY STATUS: RUGBY LEAGUE’S 13 IMMORTALS
Clive Churchill
South Sydney 164 games, NSW 27 games, Aust 37 Tests. The "Little Master" revolutionised the fullback role, helped Souths win five premierships and the Kangaroos wrest back the Ashes.
Dave Brown
Eastern, Warrington 187 games; NSW 19 games, Aust 9 Tests. Records of the "Bradman of League" include 285 points on the 1933-34 Kangaroo Tour; 38 tries in the 1935 season for Easts and a 45-point haul in a club game in 1935.
Reg Gasnier
St George 127 games, NSW 17 games, Aust 39 Tests. Keith Barnes, a teammate of the "Prince of Centres", said it best: ''He had everything, a body swerve, speed and acceleration. He could stand you up or run around you."
Graeme Langlands
St George 227 games, NSW 35 games, Aust 45 Tests. The greatest point-scorer in St George's history, "Changa" was a key member of the Dragons' golden era.
Dally Messenger
Eastern Suburbs 48 games, NSW 6 games, Aust 7 Tests. His defection to the code from rugby union in 1907 gave it immediate popularity and allowed it to grow to what it is today.
Arthur Beetson
Balmain, Eastern, Eels 221 games; NSW 18 games, Qld 3 games; Aust 29 Tests. Reinvented the way forwards played the game, largely with his second phase play and as the first captain of Queensland he made State of Origin what it is today. Andrew Johns Knights 249 games, NSW 24 games, 23 Tests. Dominated at club, state and international level for more than a decade.
Bob Fulton
Manly, Eastern 147 games; NSW 17 games, Aust 35 Tests. The ultimate competitor and a prolific try-scorer. Manly won three premierships thanks largely to the centre/five-eighth’s brilliance.
Wally Lewis
Brisbane, Gold Coast 80 games; Qld 39 games, Aust 34 Tests. "The King" has to be considered the greatest Origin player, having been named man of the match eight times. Captained the Maroons in 22 consecutive matches and the Kangaroos in 23 straight Tests.
Norm Provan
Dragons 256 games, NSW 19 games, Aust 14 Tests. Adorns the premiership trophy because he was the ultimate leader. Pivotal in the first 10 of St George's 11 straight premierships – captaincoach of the last four of those.
Mal Meninga
Raiders 166 games, Qld 32 games, Aust 46 Tests. Super skills and great leader. The only player to go on four Kangaroos tours.
Frank Burge
Dragons, Glebe 167 games; NSW 6 games, Aust 13 Tests. One of the greatest attacking forwards, he scored 146 tries in his career.
Johnny Raper
Dragons, Newtown, Wests 261 games; NSW 24 games, Aust 39 Tests. Part of the greatest era of league dominance, by the Dragons, and the complete footballer.