The National Rugby League (NRL) today announced an extraordinary Class of inductees into the NRL Hall of Fame, featuring pioneers, record-breakers and game-changers.
The following players have been confirmed as featuring in the Hall of Fame:
- Lionel Morgan
- Les Boyd
- Ben Elias
- Steve Renouf
- Cameron Smith
- Johnathan Thurston
- Billy Slater
- Benji Marshall
- Cooper Cronk
- Greg Inglis
- Sam Burgess
As a result, the 2024 Class will feature some of the most iconic players across multiple eras; Lionel Morgan was the first Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in any major code, Cameron Smith holds the record for most NRL matches by an individual (430), Sam Burgess becomes the first England representative to be inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.
“What an amazing group of players,” ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM said. “All different, all deserving in their own right. This list of players includes some of the toughest, the most talented, the greatest players of their generations.”
The list of achievements of the inductees includes:
- Lionel Morgan was a trailblazer as the first ever Indigenous athlete to represent Australia in any major code.
- Les Boyd was one of the game’s hardmen during one of the toughest eras, in the 1970s and 1980s, representing Australia in 17 Test matches.
- Ben Elias played 235 matches for Balmain Tigers, as well as six Test matches and 19 State of Origins.
- Steve Renouf, a four-time Premiership-winner, is the leading tryscorer in Brisbane Broncos history, scoring some of the game’s most famous tries in the process.
- Cameron Smith is one of the most decorated player’s in the game’s history – with 430 NRL matches, 56 Test matches (including 33 Tests as Captain) for Australia, and 42 State of Origins to his name.
- Johnathan Thurston is a four-time Dally M Medallist, having played an iconic role in the Cowboys’ first ever Premiership in 2015, as well as an inspirational Indigenous role model.
- Billy Slater scored 190 tries through 319 NRL matches, during a career which included 30 Test matches for Australia and 31 State of Origins for Queensland.
- Benji Marshall, with extraordinary talent and toughness to come back from injuries, led Wests Tigers to their first ever Premiership in 2005 during a 346-game career, as well as New Zealand to World Cup glory in 2008.
- Cooper Cronk played in nine Grand Finals for Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters, along with 38 Tests for Australia and 22 State of Origins for Queensland.
- Greg Inglis was a remarkably gifted player who won an iconic Premiership for South Sydney Rabbitohs, while also playing 39 Tests for Australia and 32 State of Origins for Queensland.
- Sam Burgess, who led South Sydney Rabbitohs to a Premiership in 2014 after fracturing his cheekbone early in the game, becomes the first ever English international to be part of the NRL Hall of Fame.
The inductions were confirmed following a meeting of the Hall of Fame Committee in July.
Mr V’landys said the group were tasked with selecting a large group based on the last induction into the playing Hall of Fame being in 2019.
“I’m in awe of this group of players and what they have each done in the game and for the game,” Mr V’landys said.
“This is the best of the best across several phenomenal eras. The group is full of Premiership winners, Dally M Medal winners, Clive Churchill Medal winners, Australia, New Zealand and England representatives.
“There are brilliant halves, powerful and durable forwards and gifted outside backs. All of these players are exceptional.”
The formal inductions will be made in a special ceremony on Wednesday, August 21 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.