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Herbert Messenger: The forgotten immortal?

Roar Guru
7th November, 2016
32

The NRL Immortals are a distinguished group of eight former players that the National Rugby League has deemed as the highest quality on and off the field.

These eight players have had a big impact on the game, through the way they played and the way they acted.

But has one of the pioneers of rugby league been left out of this prestigious group?

Better known by his nickname ‘Dally’ Messenger, Herbert was one of the first professional rugby league players in Australia. Playing union and league, Messenger represented Australia twice for rugby union and seven times for rugby league.

Predominantly a centre, Messenger was best known for his physical presence in both attack and defence. He also had the reputation of being one of the most freakishly gifted goal kickers of his time.

He represented Eastern Suburbs on 48 occasions from the maiden year of rugby league in 1908 to 1913, where he scored 21 tries and kicked 159 goals.

By know you should know that the modern day Dally M awards are named after him. The Dally M award is an esteemed and illustrious medal, and it was named after Dally Messenger, because of his outstanding performances at both club and representative level.

His role in popularising the code in Sydney in what would later prove to be a pivotal moment for the sport, allowing it to go on and become the dominant sport in Australia’s largest city.

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In 2003, Messenger was named in the Rugby League Hall of Fame, and in 2008, was named in both the New South Wales, and Australian Teams of the Century.

There have been countless world-class players to pass through rugby league without a mention of immortality, such as the great Brett Kenny or the ever superb Mal Meninga, but I believe of all the players to not be immortalised, Messenger is the most hard done by.

What do you think Roarers? Is Dally a deserving Immortal? Who would you immortalise? Who will be the next player inducted?

Follow Pat on Twitter @pattysills17

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