A cavalcade of rugby league greats stretching from dual Rabbitohs premiership winner of the 1950s Ian Moir to modern marvels Danny Buderus and Craig Fitzgibbon have been short-listed for induction into the NRL Hall of Fame in 2019.
From the list of 25 stellar nominees, up to four will be added to the Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Sydney on Wednesday, August 14.
For the first time contributors will also be honoured with one administrator, one print journalist and one broadcast journalist to be added to the Hall of Fame.
“This is a wonderful group of players – all of whom would not look out of place in our Hall of Fame,” said NRL CEO Todd Greenberg.
"We have literally thousands of games of experience and at least one player in every position.
"The players cross a range of eras too, being a wonderful reflection of the game’s incredible history.
“The formal induction of our players and our contributors will be an extremely special and memorable night."
The 25 short-listed players
Greg Alexander
Born: March 4, 1965, Penrith, NSW
Junior Football: St Dominics Penrith/Cambridge Park/Patrician Brothers Fairfield
Clubs: Penrith, Auckland
Position: Halfback
Premiership Career 1984-99: Played 265 (257+8). Tries 112, Goals 351, Field Goals 14, Points 1164
Penrith 1984-99: Played 228 (220 start + 8 bench). Tries 101, Goals 343, Field Goals 14, Points 1104
Auckland 1995-96: Played 37 (37+0). Tries 11, Goals 8, Points 60
First-Grade Debut: Penrith v Manly at Brookvale Oval, 28/3/1984 (Rd 2)
Grand Finals: 2 – Penrith 1990 (L), 1991 c (W)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 6 (1989-90); Kangaroo tour 1990
New South Wales: State of Origins 6 (1989-91)
Gary Belcher
Born: May 28, 1962, Brisbane, QLD
Junior Football: Souths Brisbane
Club: Canberra
Position: Fullback
Premiership Career 1986-93: Played 148 (147+1). Tries 69, Goals 148, Points 572
First-Grade Debut: Canberra v Manly at Brookvale Oval, 8/3/1986 (Rd 1)
Grand Finals: 4 – Canberra 1987 (L), 1989 (W), 1990 (W), 1991 (L)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 15 (1988-91)
Queensland: State of Origins 16 (1986-93).
Danny Buderus
Born: February 6, 1978, Taree, NSW
Junior Football: Taree United
Club: Newcastle
Position: Hooker
Premiership Career 1997-2013: Played 257 (237+20). Tries 61, Goals 1, Points 246
First-Grade Debut: Newcastle v South Queensland at Marathon Stadium, 23/3/1997 (Rd 3)
Grand Finals: 1 – Newcastle 2001 (W)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 24 (2001-06), Kangaroo tours 2001, 2003; Tri-Nations 2004, 2005
NSW: State of Origins 21 (2002-08)
Country Origin: 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008.
Les Cowie
Born: May 17, 1925, Rockhampton, QLD
Died: May 20, 1995, Sydney, NSW
Junior Football: Fitzroys Rockhampton
Club: South Sydney
Position: Lock
Premiership Career 1947-57: Played 176 (176+0). Tries 66, Points 198
First-Grade Debut: Souths v St George at Erskineville Oval, 12/4/1947 (Rd 1)
Grand Finals: 5 – Souths 1949 (L), Souths 1950 (W), Souths 1951 (W), Souths 1954 (W), 1955 (W)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 6 (1949-53)
NSW: Interstate matches 10 (1948-54), Matches v touring international teams 4 (1948-51).
Craig Fitzgibbon
Born: June 16, 1977, Wollongong, NSW
Junior Football: Dapto Canaries
Clubs: Illawarra, St George Illawarra, Sydney Roosters
Position: Second Row/Lock
Premiership Career 1998-2009: Played 263 (231+32). Tries 42, Goals 718, Points 1604
Illawarra 1998: Played 20 (10+10). Tries 2, Goals 38, Points 84
St George Illawarra 1999: Played 15 (5+10). Tries 4, Goals 25, Points 66
Sydney Roosters 2000-09: Played 228 (216+12). Tries 36, Goals 655, Points 1454
First-Grade Debut: Illawarra v Newcastle at WIN Stadium, 28/3/1998 (Rd 3)
Grand Finals: 5 – St George Illawarra 1999 r (L), Sydney Roosters 2000 (L), 2002 (W), 2003 (L), 2004 (L)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 18 (2002-08), Tri-Nations 2004, 2005
NSW: State of Origins 11 (2003-08).
Denis Flannery
Born: April 2, 1928, Ipswich, QLD
Died: February 12, 2012, Ipswich, QLD
Junior Football: CYMS Ipswich
Club: Brothers Ipswich
Position: Wing
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 15 (1950-57); Kangaroo tours 1952-53, 1956-57; World Cup 1954
Queensland: Interstate matches 20 (1948-56), Matches v touring international teams 5 (1950-54)
Other information: Played 32 Bulimba Cup matches for Ipswich (1947-57).
Michael Hancock
Born: October 21, 1969, Brisbane, QLD
Junior Football: Stanthorpe
Club: Brisbane Broncos
Position: Wing
Premiership Career 1988-2000: Played 274 (240+34). Tries 120, Goals 2, Points 484
First-Grade Debut: Brisbane v Manly at Lang Park, 6/3/1988 (Rd 1)
Grand Finals: 5 – Brisbane 1992 (W), 1993 (W), 1997 r (W), 1998 r (W), 2000 r (W)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 14 (1989-94)
Queensland: State of Origins 14 (1989-96).
Paul Harragon
Born: October 12, 1968, Kurri Kurri, NSW
Junior Football: Lakes United Newcastle
Club: Newcastle
Position: Prop
Premiership Career 1988-99: Played 169 (152+17). Tries 19, Points 76
First-Grade Debut: Newcastle v Balmain at Leichhardt Oval, 17/7/1988 (Rd 18)
Grand Finals: 1 – Newcastle 1997 c (W)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 17 (1992-98); World Cups 1992, 1995; Kangaroo tour 1994
NSW: State of Origins 20 (1992-98).
Garry Jack
Born: March 14, 1961, Wollongong, NSW
Junior Football: Western Suburbs Wollongong
Clubs: Western Suburbs, Balmain
Position: Fullback
Premiership Career 1981-95: Played 248 (244+4). Tries 60, Goals 1, Field Goals 1, Points 235
Wests 1981: Played 5 (4+1). Tries 1, Points 3
Balmain 1982-95: Played 243 (240+3). Tries 59, Goals 1, Field Goals 1, Points 232
First-Grade Debut: Wests v Souths at Lidcombe Oval, 19/4/1981 (Rd 4)
Grand Finals: 2 – Balmain 1988 (L), 1989 (L)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 21 (1984-88)
NSW: State of Origins 17 (1984-89).
Stacey Jones
Born: May 7, 1976, Auckland, NZ
Junior Football: Ponsonby-Pt Chevalier
Club: Auckland
Position: Halfback
Premiership Career 1995-2009: Played 261 (258+3). Tries 77, Goals 176, Field Goals 14, Points 674
First-Grade Debut: Auckland v Parramatta at Parramatta Stadium, 23/4/1995 (Rd 7)
Grand Finals: 1 – Warriors 2002 c (L)
Rep Career
New Zealand: Tests 46 (1995-2006), World Cups 1995, 2000, Tri-Nations 1999, 2005, 2006; Captained Kiwis in seven Tests.
Bob Lindner
Born: November 10, 1962, Brisbane, QLD
Junior Football: Cannon Hill
Clubs: Parramatta, Gold Coast, Western Suburbs, Illawarra
Position: Lock/Second Row
Premiership Career 1987-93: Played 97 (91+6). Tries 22, Points 88
Parramatta 1987-88: Played 28 (27+1). Tries 10, Points 40
Gold Coast 1989: Played 10 (8+2). Points Nil
Wests 1990-92: Played 39 (36+3). Tries 8, Points 32
Illawarra 1993: Played 20 (20+0). Tries 4, Points 16
First-Grade Debut: Parramatta v Canterbury at Parramatta Stadium, 29/3/1987 (Rd 5)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 24 (1986-93); Kangaroos tours 1986, 1990; World Cup 1992
Queensland: State of Origins 25 (1984-93).
Ian Moir
Born: July 6, 1931, Wollongong, NSW
Died: September 19, 1990, Nelson’s Bay, NSW
Junior Football: Port Kembla
Clubs: South Sydney, Western Suburbs
Position: Wing
Premiership Career 1952-60: Played 138 (138+0). Tries 119, Points 357
Souths 1952-58: Played 110 (110+0). Tries 105, Points 315
Wests 1959-60: Played 28 (28+0). Tries 14, Points 42
First-Grade Debut: Souths v Manly at Sydney Cricket Ground, 29/3/1952 (Rd 1)
Grand Finals: 2 – Souths 1954 (W), 1955 (W)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 12 (1954-59); World Cups 1954, 1957; Kangaroo tour 1956-57
NSW: Interstate matches 10 (1952-59), Matches v touring international teams 1 (1959).
Michael O’Connor
Born: November 30, 1960, Nowra, NSW
Junior Football: Woden Valley United/Canberra RU
Clubs: St George, Manly
Position: Centre
Premiership Career 1983-92: Played 193 (186+7). Tries 87, Goals 310, Field Goals 11, Points 979
St George 1983-86: Played 78 (71+7). Tries 33, Goals 130, Field Goals 9, Points 401
Manly 1987-92: Played 115 (115+0). Tries 54, Goals 180, Field Goals 2, Points 578
First-Grade Debut: St George v Wests at Kogarah Jubilee Oval, 13/3/1983 (Rd 3)
Grand Finals: 2 – St George 1985 (L), Manly 1987 (W)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 18 (1986-89); Kangaroo tour 1986; World Cup 1988
NSW: State of Origins 19 (1985-91).
Terry Randall
Born: February 5, 1951, Sydney, NSW
Junior Football: North Curl Curl
Club: Manly
Position: Second row
Premiership Career 1970-82: Played 208 (207+1). Tries 21, Field Goals 1, Points 65
First-Grade Debut: Manly v St George at Sydney Cricket Ground, 11/4/1970 (Rd 3)
Grand Finals: 6 – Manly 1972 (W), 1973 (W), 1976 (W), 1978 (D), 1978R (W), 1982 (L)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 11 (1975-77)
NSW: Interstate matches 14 (1973-78), Matches v touring international teams 1 (1974).
Rod Reddy
Born: March 1, 1954, Rockhampton, QLD
Junior Football: Rockhampton
Clubs: St George, Illawarra
Position: Lock/Second Row
Premiership Career 1972-85: Played 239 (228+11). Tries 66, Goals 1, Points 202
St George 1972-83: Played 204 (195+9). Tries 65, Goals 1, Points 198
Illawarra 1984-85: Played 35 (33+2). Tries 1, Points 4
First-Grade Debut: St George v Parramatta at Kogarah Jubilee Oval, 21/5/1972 (Rd 10)
Grand Finals: 3 – St George 1977 (D), 1977R (W), 1979 (W)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 17 (1977-82); World Series 1977; Kangaroo tours 1978, 1982
NSW: Interstate matches 11 (1973-80) Matches v touring international teams 2 (1974-77)
Queensland: State of Origins 1 (1980).
Steve Renouf
Born: June 8, 1970, Wondai, QLD
Junior Football: Murgon/Wondai
Club: Brisbane Broncos
Position: Centre
Premiership Career 1989-99: Played 183 (173+10). Tries 142, Points 568
First-Grade Debut: Brisbane v Balmain at Lang Park, 2/4/1989 (Rd 3)
Grand Finals: 4 – Brisbane 1992 (W), 1993 (W), 1997 (W), 1998 (W)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 10 (1992-98); World Cup 1992; Kangaroo tour 1994
Queensland: State of Origins 11 (1991-98).
Eric Simms
Born: August 2, 1945, Mayfield, NSW
Junior Football: Raymond Terrace/La Perouse
Club: South Sydney
Position: Fullback
Premiership Career 1965-75: Played 206 (206+0). Tries 23, Goals 803, Field Goals 86, Points 1841
First-Grade Debut: Souths v St George at Sydney Cricket Ground, 14/8/1965 (Rd 17)
Grand Finals: 6 – Souths 1965 (L), 1967 (W), 1968 (W), 1969 (L), 1970 (W), 1971 (W)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 8 (1968-70)
NSW: Interstate matches 1 (1968).
Paul Sironen
Born: May 23, 1965, North Sydney, NSW
Junior Football: Holy Cross Rhinos/Gladesville Sports/North Ryde Hawks
Club: Balmain
Position: Second Row
Premiership Career 1985-98: Played 248 (242+6). Tries 22, Points 88
First-Grade Debut: Balmain v Norths at North Sydney Oval, 9/6/1985 (Rd 14)
Grand Finals: 2 – Balmain 1988 (L), 1989 (L)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 23 (1986-94)
NSW: State of Origins 14 (1989-94).
Dick Thornett
Born: September 23, 1940, Sydney, NSW
Died: October 12, 2011, Sydney, NSW
Junior Football: Randwick Rugby
Clubs: Parramatta, Eastern Suburbs
Position: Second Row
Premiership Career 1963-72: Played 169 (167+2). Tries 36, Goals 15, Field Goals 19, Points 176
Parramatta 1963-71: Played 160 (160+0). Tries 35, Goals 15, Field Goals 19, Points 173
Easts 1972: Played 9 (7+2). Tries 1, Points 3
First-Grade Debut: Parramatta v St George at Sydney Cricket Ground, 6/4/1963 (Rd 1)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 14 (1963-68)
NSW: Interstate matches 11 (1963-69), Matches v touring international teams 2 (1964-66).
Geoff Toovey
Born: June 17, 1969, Sydney, NSW
Junior Football: Belrose Eagles
Clubs: Manly, Northern Eagles
Position: Halfback/Hooker
Premiership Career 1988-2001: Played 286 (278+8). Tries 35, Points 140
Manly 1988-99: Played 238 (230+8). Tries 35, Points 140
Northern Eagles 2000-01: Played 48 (48+0). Points Nil
First-Grade Debut: Manly v Cronulla at Brookvale Oval, 7/5/1988 (Rd 10)
Grand Finals: 3 – Manly 1995 c (L), 1996 c (W), 1997 c (L)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 13 (1991-98)
NSW: State of Origins 15 (1990-2000).
Paul Vautin
Born: July 21, 1959, Brisbane, QLD
Junior Football: Wests Mitchelton
Clubs: Manly, Eastern Suburbs
Position: Lock/Second Row
Premiership Career 1979-91: Played 238 (227+11). Tries 21, Goals 2, Field Goals 2, Points 78
Manly 1979-89: Played 204 (193+11). Tries 20, Goals 2, Field Goals 2, Points 74
Easts 1990-91: Played 34 (34+0). Tries 1, Points 4
First-Grade Debut: Manly v St George at Kogarah Jubilee Oval, 24/3/1979 (Rd 1)
Grand Finals: 3 – Manly 1982 (L), 1983 (L), 1987 c (W)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 13 (1982-89)
Queensland: State of Origins 22 (1982-90).
Elwyn Walters
Born: June 25, 1943, Murwillumbah, NSW
Junior Football: Tweed Heads Seagulls
Clubs: South Sydney, Eastern Suburbs, Manly
Position: Hooker
Premiership Career 1967-77: Played 197 (194+3). Tries 22, Points 66
Souths 1967-73: Played 128 (128+0). Tries 17, Points 51
Easts 1974-76: Played 61 (58+3). Tries 5, Points 15
Manly 1977: Played 8 (8+0). Points Nil
First-Grade Debut: Souths v Penrith at Redfern Oval, 6/8/1967 (Rd 20)
Grand Finals: 6 – Souths 1967 (W), 1968 (W), 1969 (L), 1970 (W), Easts 1974 (W), 1975 (W)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 20 (1969-74); Kangaroo tours 1967-68, 1973, World Cups 1970, 1972
NSW: Interstate matches 11 (1969-74), Matches v touring international teams 1 (1970).
Kevin Walters
Born: October 20, 1967, Rockhampton, QLD
Junior Football: Booval Swifts
Clubs: Canberra, Brisbane Broncos
Position: Five-eighth
Premiership Career 1987-2001: Played 287 (272+15). Tries 74, Points 296
Canberra 1987-89: Played 46 (33+13). Tries 9, Points 36
Brisbane 1990-2001: Played 241 (239+2). Tries 65, Points 260
First-Grade Debut: Canberra v Norths at Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan, 21/3/1987 (Rd 4)
Grand Finals: 7 – Canberra 1987 r (L) 1989 r (W), Brisbane 1992 (W), 1993 (W), 1997 (W), 1998 (W), 2000 c (W)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 11 (1991-98); World Cup 1992; Kangaroo tour 1994
Queensland: State of Origins 20 (1989-99).
Ruben Wiki
Born: January 21, 1973, Auckland, NZ
Junior Football: Otahuhu Leopards
Clubs: Canberra, Auckland
Position: Centre/Second Row/Prop
Premiership Career 1993-2008: Played 312 (290+22). Tries 72, Points 288
Canberra 1993-2004: Played 225 (208+17). Tries 60, Points 240
Auckland 2005-08: Played 87 (82+5). Tries 12, Points 48
First-Grade Debut: Canberra v Souths at Bruce Stadium, 13/6/1993 (Rd 11)
Grand Finals: 1 – Canberra 1994 (W)
Rep Career
New Zealand: Tests 55 (1994-2006), Tri-Nations 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006 Captained the Kiwis in 18 Tests; World Cups 1995, 2000.
Craig Young
Born: June 25, 1956, Wollongong, NSW
Junior Football: Thirroul/Corrimal
Club: St George
Position: Prop
Premiership Career 1977-88: Played 234 (232+2). Tries 11, Field Goals 2, Points 42
First-Grade Debut: St George v Penrith at Kogarah Jubilee Oval, 20/3/1977 (Rd 1)
Grand Finals: 4 – St George 1977 (D), 1977R (W), 1979 c (W), 1985 c (L)
Rep Career
Australia: Tests 20 (1978-84); Kangaroo tours 1978, 1982
NSW: Interstate matches 5 (1979-81), Matches v touring international teams 1 (1977), State of Origins 5 (1980-84).
