The National Rugby League (NRL) tonight announced Ron Coote as the 14th Immortal.
On a historic night at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the former South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs legend was presented with his Immortals jacket by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese MP, in front of fellow Immortals Mal Meninga, Andrew Johns and Wally Lewis and members of the Hall of Fame.
“As a Hall of Famer and multiple premiership winner, Ron Coote was already an icon and a legend. Tonight, in becoming an Immortal, he has joined the most elite club in Australian sport,” Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys AM said.
“Ron was talented, tough and stood tall against the peerless players of his era – fellow Immortals like Johnny Raper and Graeme Langlands.
“Tall and rangy, Ron was a threat on both sides of the ball. A superb cover defender capable of saving tries, he was also naturally gifted with the ball and a constant threat to opponents when he had it in his hands. He played nine Grand Finals in the space of 11 years, such was the enormous impact he had on the teams he represented.
“As a true Rugby League gentleman on and off the field, Ron now holds his rightful place amongst the game’s greatest players.”
Coote played 148 Premiership games for South Sydney between 1964 to 1971, and 109 Premiership matches for Eastern Suburbs between 1972 and 1978. He won four Grand Finals with South Sydney and two with Eastern Suburbs.
Coote also played 15 matches for New South Wales, as well as 42 games for Australia, including 23 Test matches. In 1970, he captained Australia to World Cup triumph in England.
On an historic night for the game, 11 male players (Lionel Morgan, Les Boyd, Ben Elias, Steve Renouf, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Benji Marshall, Cooper Cronk, Greg Inglis and Sam Burgess), six female players (Natalie Dwyer, Katrina Fanning, Tarsha Gale, Veronica White, Karyn Murphy and Tahnee Norris), two referees (Col Pearce and Bill Harrigan), two coaches (Jack Gibson and Wayne Bennett), and four contributors (Frank Hyde, Ken Arthurson, John Quayle and David Morrow) were inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.
“Congratulations to all of our inductees and their families for doing something truly unique and special,” Mr V’landys said.
“Tonight, was one of the most important nights in the game’s history, when we were given the honour of recognising the game’s greatest ever contributors – including the first ever female inductees, the first coaches and referees, not to mention the incredible acknowledgement of the game’s 14th Immortal.
“25 inspirational, influential, incredible individuals. Male Players. Female Players. Administrators. Broadcast Media. Referees. Coaches. Pioneers and legends. The game of Rugby League thanks and salutes you for your contribution.”
