One of the game's founders, a doyen of journalism and the voice of Rugby League have been honoured by being named as the inaugural Contributors to feature in the NRL Hall of Fame.
The three inductees are:
- JJ Giltinan (Administration)
- Peter Frilingos (Print Media)
- Ray Warren (Broadcast Media)
A selection panel including Immortals Bob Fulton and Mal Meninga, as well as John Lang and Katie Page, selected the inductees from the three shortlists announced last week.
Giltinan is one of the game's founding administrators, and his name was given to the traditional Minor Premiership Shield. Frilingos covered 40 consecutive Grand Finals (from 1964 to 2003) as one of the game's most influential journalists, while Warren has been head commentator for Channel Nine since 1992.
The three contributors will formally join the Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Sydney this evening (Wednesday, 14 August).
NRL Chief Executive Todd Greenberg said the three inductees were all incredibly worthy of the honour of being the first Contributors to be added to the Hall of Fame.
"This is a very special induction – the first members of the Class who are contributors," Mr Greenberg said.
"That speaks for the calibre of not only the nominations but obviously those who were chosen. They will always be the first of our Contributors to be inducted.
"Without them, the game would look, feel and sound very different. Each of them had extraordinary influence on the game."
Senior Manager of NRL Awards, Frank Puletua, said the addition of the Contributors had added a lasting element to the Hall of Fame.
"There has been such a positive response to our Contributors being inducted and no doubt that will continue with our first referees and coaches next year," Mr Puletua said.
"This component will continue and be celebrated well into the future."
Detailed facts and figures on each of the three inductees are available here.
For more information on the NRL Hall of Fame and Immortals, please visit nrl.com/hall-of-fame/
