When the sun sets on Johnathan Thurston’s career, it seems inevitable the North Queensland, Maroons and Kangaroos superstar will be given Immortal status as one of rugby league’s all-time greats.
It’s not so much a matter of if, but when.
But the more pertinent question may be whether Thurston deserves to become an Immortal ahead of fellow modern-day champions like Darren Lockyer, Brad Fittler, Mal Meninga and Peter Sterling, not to mention accomplished contemporaries Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater?
St George legend Norm Provan has been overlooked on several occasions, but his name also remains in the conversation.
Thurston’s credentials appear unquestionable after he completed his career CV by co-captaining the Cowboys to their maiden premiership on Sunday night and also adding the Clive Churchill Medal to his collection.
Throw in a record four Dally M Medals, two Golden Boots for the world player of the year, nine State of Origin series wins with Queensland and a World Cup and his claims can’t be ignored.
But is Thurston entitled to Immortal status ahead of Lockyer, Fittler, Meninga, Sterling, Smith, Slater and Inglis – all Golden Boot recipients too – and Provan, named in the team of the century and the only man to play in 11 grand finals and winner of 10 in a row?
Or are rugby league fans too caught up in the excitement of the moment?
After more than a century of top-flight rugby league in Australia, only eight players have been immortalised.
At this rate, Thurston, who can’t be added until after he retires, has merely joined the queue to be ranked alongside Immortals Clive Churchill, Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper, Graeme Langlands, Bob Fulton, Wally Lewis, Arthur Beetson and Andrew Johns.
Lockyer’s numbers are amazing – four titles with Brisbane, a premiership-record 355 first grade games and an unrivalled 59 Tests for Australia, including a record 38 as captain, the best of them.
The fullback-turned-five-eighth has also won a World Cup and six Origin series and seems next in line.
Fittler, also in the exclusive 300-game club and a 40-Test stalwart, is a triple World Cup winner and won seven Origin series for the Blues after becoming the youngest player in history, at just 18 in 1990, to be thrust into the interstate cauldron.
But his huge impact on the game is perhaps best illustrated by his influential deeds at club level.
Fittler featured in six grand finals for two different clubs and led the Sydney Roosters to nine straight finals series.
It’s no coincidence the Roosters hadn’t made the playoffs for a decade before his arrival in 1996 and their run stopped the year he retired.
Meninga did it all, inspiring Canberra to five grand finals and three premierships in a golden eight-season span and remaining the only player to make four Kangaroo tours of Great Britain.
A centre in the team of the century, Meninga also won a pair of World Cups in a 46-Test career and seven Origin series.
Like Meninga, Sterling is among only five players to have twice toured Britain unbeaten with the Kangaroos.
Often forgotten in the Immortals debate, Sterling helped Parramatta land four premierships and is the only player to sweep the Golden Boot, Dally M, Rothmans Medal and Clive Churchill Medal, the four most prestigious individual gongs on offer.
When they retire, Smith, Inglis and Slater will also have claims for elevation to the Immortals.
Smith’s may be undeniable.
The Queensland and Australian captain has already chalked up a record-equalling 36 Origin games and nine series wins, 43 Tests, won a Dally M, a World Cup and led Melbourne to three victories in five grand finals.
Inglis and Slater have also both won a Dally M to go with their Golden Boots, landed premierships and featured in five grand finals and a World Cup triumph.
For all the hyperbole, Johnathan Thurston is far from the only Immortal in waiting.
And the wait may be a while.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Yeah, I'd take Daley over Fittler. Both were excellent, but Daley was more a leader and had much better game management skills in my opinion. I actually think he should be in the Immortal category as well, in the modern era, it's heavily weighted towards halfbacks and hookers.
Stacey miles
Guest
absolutly ! An immortal should not only have had an exceptional career ! But should also show respect for teammates on all sides , officials, fans, family, be a positive role model for the upcoming juniors in all aspects of life not just playing the game ! Which Jonathan definately ticks all the boxes and Something we need more of ! There is too much dirty play going on and off the field that influence eyes and ears of our future generations and he has showed how it should be done. I believe that he will be one of the few that would respect the honour forever and live to expectations of what becoming an immortal is all about as he has proved this through and through ! I also believe as an added bonus the impact it will have on the indigenous community to be beneficial also.
Kirk
Guest
Freddy had a very impressive career but I don't think he was quite at that 'immortal' level of players. Wasn't he voted most overrated player in the game at one stage during his career? He was a bit hot and cold for a few years in the mid 90s. I maybe biased but I always thought Daley was a better 5/8 at rep level than Fitler. Fitler only really became a consistent player towards the end of his career.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Let's just make every Queenslander that ever lived an immortal...
The Barry
Roar Guru
I can't even be bothered with this garbage. What does the NSWRL have to do with any of this?
Mike Julz
Guest
No doubt he will be the 9th immortal, one year out after his retirement.
Samtwocan
Guest
To name a few .
soapit
Guest
when i start rhinking conspiracy theories i do wonder whether this was part of his package that kept him in league when he was talking about going to rugby.
The Verdict
Guest
When he went into politics...? :-)
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Meninga got passed over because he opened his mouth
Really
Guest
Up in the north..........you are spot on, make complete sense. A hall of fame governed by former players evenly represented from Qld and NSW. I think Johns was awesome however, Meninga deserved inclusion due to his overall contribution to the game. Ultimately a player should be judged on ability and character, as it is character which shapes the culture of the sport. If Johns gets into any more precarious situations and exhibits juvenile behaviour , maybe he should lose his status !
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Did you just have an exorcism and that's what came out David? I have no idea what you just wrote
Renegade
Roar Guru
I'm guessing your 12 and never actually watched him play??
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Same here. Played right into the hands of those who were already questioning its credibility. No question over the decision, just the timing of the induction. Should have waited, made it look like NSW were suffering from relevance deprivation. Don't be surprised if the NRL take over this award as well, in addition tot he Dally Ms. Thanks once again NSWRL...
David Jason
Guest
Niall brilliant, just one flaw lol that you still seem to have trouble with conceptually, hold the event in alternate venues, Northern England is to be the first as that is where the true roots of the game lies, and I am not talking about the local sheila's, then Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland and maybe even through every cycle it can rotate a PNG, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, France ...
David Jason
Guest
Sam2 JT Alfie Meninga Lockyer etc etc ....
David Jason
Guest
lol @ always gonna, there was a big public outcry that he didn't deserve it and that many others had claim over him??? how easy your brain forgets the past to suit your agenda, Squid the lava feeding off the rotting corpse that is the NSWRL still lying in the halls of the NRL.
David Jason
Guest
Problem as always argued even when Johns was being picked is that RLW have trashed the immortal status ... there was many people on this here forum blowing up about it, saying it was trashing cheapening the immortal status, but the NSWRL hierarchy abusively put it through. They need to now drop all players from the list and start again, It needs to be run by the NRL administration, they need to have a minimum of 20years retirement before being selected an immortal, introduce a Hall of Fame which can be immediate, a couple of years after retirement career acknowledgement, they need Hall of Fame and a positional Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame still I think a minimum of 5 years after retirement ...
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I'm not a fan of the immortal concept, never have been. I do like the sound of a hall of fame for rugby league and as was raised earlier, have an annual occasion and really celebrate the past players that have made the game the true spectacle which it is. When Joey Johns was selected over Mal Meninga I thought the selection panel had cheapened the entire award. I also firmly believe that the panel should comprise former players who would vote for their peers, hopefully that way we'd get a truer indication of the winners prowess at the time of their playing lives.
david webb
Guest
Not a mention of Brett Kenny he was twice the player then lockyer, meninga and fittler.