So at the end of this year at least a ninth and maybe a tenth Immortal will be named as one of the all-time greats of rugby league.
If you believe media reports Darren Lockyer is guaranteed one of those positions. No one could argue that. Some would suggest he didn’t have quite the individual brilliance of Andrew Johns (I’m not so sure) but when it comes to longevity and leadership Lockyer leaves the eighth in the shade. He is well deserving of the Immortal tag and it’s a matter of when, not if, he is named.
If there is a second player the names Norm Provan and Mal Meninga have been thrown around and both would be more than deserving.
However there is a name that no one mentions who would also be worthy of the Immortal tag. Particularly if they intend to announce a new Immortal every five years and players have to be retired for five years – then we will be at least ten years away from the options of Thurston and Smith.
The player is Glenn Lazarus. Now before you shoot me down, hear me out. In my opinion Glenn Lazarus is the greatest forward I have seen play the game. Now only being in my mid 30s, that extends from the late 80s until today.
Lazarus was a big man, with a huge motor and exceptional mobility. His ability to use his power to bend back the defence and then use his mobility to get a lightning quick play the ball, made Daley and Stuart, Langer and Walters, Kimmorley and company even better players than they already were. His record speaks for itself.
Let’s start in clubland. Lazarus played 13 seasons for Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne. In all the games he played The Brick with Eyes has an astonishing 70 per cent win record. I don’t know another player with even close to a record like that at even one club let alone three.
In each of Lazarus’ seasons in first grade his club played finals football. That is remarkable. The only season Lazarus didn’t feature in the finals was in the Super League year of 1997 when injury ended his career with Brisbane early.
Lazarus’ record in finals footy is even better at a 71 per cent win rate. He played 28 finals matches and his team’s record was 20 wins and 8 losses. Lazarus played in six grand finals for five premierships, including five straight grand finals from ’89 to ’93.
At Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne he was the starting prop for each club’s first ever premiership. In my view they don’t win those premierships (particularly Brisbane and Melbourne, and probably Canberra) without him. He is a winner who sets the highest standard at his clubs and expects nothing less.
And he’s not afraid of a challenge. He was the premier prop at Canberra but took on the pressure of leading Brisbane (who had underachieved until this point) to their first premiership. A New South Welshman coming to Brisbane to lead them to a Premiership, and Queenslanders fell in love with him.
He moved to Melbourne at 1998 after a bad injury in ’97 to a club no one expected to win a premiership or create a winning culture. But he did. In clubland this man was exceptional.
Moving onto to his Rep record and Lazarus played 19 Origins for NSW (plus three Super League NSW appearances) and was capped 22 times for his country.
Lazarus was one of the key players in NSW’s first extended period of Origin dominance. He played a handful of games of the bench for the Blues from ’89 to ’91 as Queensland’s dominance was in its last days.
Then from 1992 – 1996 (barring ’95 when Super League players weren’t eligible) he started every game at prop for the Blues. They won all four of those series he played in and actually only lost three games in that period.
While there were many great players in those Origin teams from ’92 to ’96 he and Laurie Daley were the two key cornerstones to the NSW period of dominance. Add in his 1997 Super League appearances for the Blues (you can only play who is in front of you) and he had a six-year period where he was the key forward in NSW dominance.
Lazarus also had an 80 per cent winning rate for Australia (which most players do) and he was a part of our 1992 World Cup winning team.
Forwards are often under-represented in the best ever categories and there is no doubt some of the greats of our game (Daley, Stuart, Walters, Langer) were better players for having Lazo up front paving the way for them.
Lazarus is easily the standout forward of the last 30 years and more than worthy of being awarded Immortal status.
db
Guest
Lazarus's playing record was very good. His record isn't at all diminished by virtue of being overlooked in a magazine poll. It was a gimmick to sell magazines and nothing more than Rugby League's version of the Logies.
woppadingo
Guest
Lazarus was a pretty good prop but not immortal. His #1 ability was knowing when to ditch his teammates and jump ship to a better team.
Chris Morrison
Guest
Best prop I have seen play the game also and that is a massive wrap considering I have witnessed Webcke, Civoneceva, Wiki, and recently Bromwich, Heargraves and Graham. (Not saying these guys are immortal players but goes to show that Lazarus is better then all these props) Would love to see him added to the immortal list. Dunno if I would have him above Lockyer but I'd have him in front of Menninga and Provan. Unfortunately I didn't see Provan play so I'm not much of a judge there. Lockyer better than Johns so should be an obvious choice.
Johnno
Guest
Future immortals should be NSW: Steve Rogers/Lazo QLD: Lockyer/Thurston/Cam Smith/GI/Billy Slater (maybe Cooper Cronk) Lazo did far more in his career than Artie Beetson. Gene Miles and Mal both so good. Part of me feels if Mal get an immortal status Gene Miles should he was damn good. But then Kenny/Sterlo unlucky too.
Adam
Guest
Certainly right up there, he was a little before my team so I probably don't fully appreciate his career.
Rellum
Roar Guru
He is doing alright. Started off dropping the kick off by throwing in with Clive but he worked his way out of trouble for a decent first stint.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Well the 'Brick' aint no 'Brick' in politics, that's for sure, and he won't get the 'Immortal tag' in that arena!
bearfax
Guest
The fact that Cliffy played against Lewis seems to diminish his acheivements.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Steve Edge must also be inducted into Immortal status if we are to go by your criteria. His tally of 5 Grand Final victories in 7 years at different clubs still speaks volumes. He captained St George to Grand Final Glory in 1977, and was a prominent member of the 1979 Premiers under Craig Young's captaincy. Edge then went to Parramatta and won three consecutive Grand Finals as captain from 1981 to 1983.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I don't disagree that Provan should be an immortal. He should be already. I also think that Lazarus is the best forward of the last 30 years and deserves serious consideration
Adam
Guest
Provan's record trumps anything that Lazarus ever achieved. 10 consecutive premierships all for one club case closed
Don
Roar Rookie
And this is where the whole "Immortal" concept is flawed. The names are added to only when a Rugby League magazine decides it is time. The NRL should have bought the Immortal concept years ago, or, if the price was too high, just start their own with a different monicker and induct all the existing RLW Immortals immediately. Just copy the AFL. Have a Hall of Fame (unlike the current ad hoc one) where elite players are added after 5 or 10 years in retirement. Have an "Immortals" category as per the AFL "Legends" where the absolute top echelon are recognised above that. Lazarus would be Hall of Fame but maybe not Immortal. The issue is that "Immortal" is the only level of recognition we have for retired players and very few qualify at that level. The costs of implementing a proper NRL HOF would be minimal. The benefits would be significant.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I don't think Fittler, Slater or Inglis are quite there. All greats, but they just fall short in my books.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Johns got MVP in the 1995 world cup playing at Hooker, as well as a MOTM in SoO II in 1996. He also actually displaced Toovey from the 7 jersey in 1998.
jersey
Guest
Good discussion. Lockyer and Lazarus were great footballers, but in my view not the equal of Ron Coote, Norm Provan and Mal Meninga each of whom was in the Team of Century. I would vote for Ron Coote However if the concept of the Immortals is to retain credability, arguably greater attention should be paid to earlier stars including for example Geroge Trewecke; Harold Horder and Vic Hey. I saw Ron Coote play in juniors; Souths; Easts and for Australia. I can count on one hand the tackles he missed. I have memories of tacklling many flying backs travelling with full length diving and try saving tackles. Like Lazarus, Coote has a wonderful GF record
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
The NSW 1996 side that clean swept Qld 3-0. That's probably the greatest side NSW ever fielded and Lazarus was unstoppable. Needless to say Gus was the coach. Wouldn't you love to see the 1998 NSW side vs the 2010-11 Qld side? Now that's a Roar article. (though maybe the sub standard opposition makes those sides all the better)
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
If they could overlook Johns off-field activity of being a drug user, surely they could overlook Lazo's off-field activity of being a politician.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Phil Rothfield suggested it a few years ago in his weekly Gallen column and was thankfully loudly shouted down. Gallen is not even in the Hall of Fame discussion for players below immortal level.
Steve L.
Guest
The criteria for an Immortal is that the judges must have seen him play, hence great pre-war players could not be selected on their stats and were ineligible. Following this logic, the current Immortals should in the future be removed to make room for new Immortals, as their playing period moves out of the judges memory span.
Nat
Roar Guru
A hall of fame is a good idea. Although Meninga has to find his place with the immortals. An impeccable playing career and successful State & Aus Capt and coach and a good person, player. Johns is the bloke who should've been recognised as a great player only. Johns couldn't get a No. 7 rep jersey until Stuart, Taylor, Toovey & Langer all retired. None of whom will be given immortality.