Rugby league’s golden 1990s featured prominently as six players – including five from the era – were named as inductees into the NRL Hall of Fame on Tuesday night.
Petero Civoniceva, Mark Graham, Cliff Lyons, Steve Menzies, Ricky Stuart and Gorden Tallis were recognised for their playing achievements and will join the 100 inaugural members from 2008.
The six will be formally inducted at a ceremony at the SCG on August 1, which will also announce up to two new Immortals.
They were selected by a panel of 25 judges.
Longevity, individual achievements and representative appearances were all considered in the make-up of the players to be added.
Graham, a North Sydney stalwart and New Zealand Test captain in the 1980s, became the first Kiwi recognised.
Between the other five inductees there was a total of 1393 premiership matches, 123 Tests and 90 State of Origins played – as well as 12 premierships won.
Front rower Civoniceva was known for his uncompromising approach on the field but for being a gentleman off it and logged 309 NRL games between Brisbane and Penrith as well as 33 Origins for Queensland.
Former Manly teammates Lyons (332) and Menzies (349) were at the core of a strong Sea Eagles team in the 1990s; the former a deft playmaker, the latter a seemingly unbreakable utility who became the highest try-scoring forward in the game.
Stuart was a scheming halfback who spent much of his career with Canberra and played 14 State of Origins for NSW and nine Tests for Australia before embarking on a coaching career.
Tallis was perhaps the most dominant forward in the competition during the mid to late 1990s with the Brisbane Broncos and went on to shine for both the Maroons and Queensland.
Don
Roar Rookie
Same as when they count total games. Apparently if you didn’t play in the NSWRL your games don’t count. A bit ridiculous to still see this going really since the NRL was formed. I understand all the arguments about it being the superior competition and all that. But I look at a guy like Wally Lewis played over 200 games in the BRL before the Broncos came about but he’s recorded as playing 80.
Forty Twenty
Guest
They didn't keep records of try assists for most of lyons career I believe but I seem to recall him getting a late call up one year to a struggling Manly team when he was about 85 and in no time flat he was one of the leaders for try assists despite not playing many games. The best player I've seen for putting someone thru a gap, he could hold the pass up later than anyone else and still throw a legal pass.
Forty Twenty
Guest
His record for the Toads was just as dull as his record for the Maroons , five wins in 17 games.
nerval
Guest
Mark Graham was voted New Zealand's player of the century - league's equivalent to union's Colin "Pinetree" Meads. For fans of the young SBW, take a look at Graham's highlights. Roughly the same height and build, Graham was the prototype: fearless, athletic, fast, skilful with ball in hand and a great leader too. The more I think about him, the more I realise that I'd have him ahead of just about any back-row forward in history - Kiwi, Aussie or Pom.
Fish
Guest
I remember Wally Lewis once saying that Cliff Lyons was the best ball player he had ever seen. He was an enigma, silky smooth skills, and could hit like a truck when he wanted to. Cody Walker reminds me a lot of Cliffy.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Kevie Walters did all that and more, maybe he should have got the nod.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I actually rate Tallis and Lindner about the same. I would give the nod to the older guy. Wally Lewis didn't have a club career if you listen to NSW types and they only know him for rep footy so I don't see the differnce with Lindner if you don't want rate his club footy(foolishly)
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Go watch some Manly games with Cliffy playing.One of the best and most under rated players of his time. Manly made four GF's off his back, and Steve Menzies wouldn't be getting a nod if it wasn;t for Cliffy
Rob
Guest
Mark Graham was somebody I idolised growing up. On of the toughest, most skilful second rowers going around in the great 80's period and certainly on of the best off loaders in traffic they i have seen.
Anthony Mundine
Guest
I've been robbed again.
Marc
Guest
Agree with you about Tallis. An angry player for sure but over rated my opiion
Don
Roar Rookie
Dally M second rower of the year 1993 Named player of the tour after the 1990 Kangaroos tour QLD Rugby League team of the century. The only failing of his career was his timing in joining clubs; he usually signed with clubs on the slide. And taking the coin rather than sticking it out with a club. 4 clubs in 7 years and 2 broken legs in that time makes his club career look a lot worse than it was.
Paul
Roar Guru
I understand your comment about Tallis, but I spoke with a couple of guys that played against him and they said when his eyes glazed over, you knew he was all but unstoppable and he also reserved his best for really big games or playing against quality opposition. He probably played most of his career in second or third gear, but when he hit his peak, he was awesome. Just wish he'd stayed at the Dragons.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
8 of his 25 Origin appearances were before he played in the NSWRL and six of his 24 Test appearances came before his move in 1987 to Parra. Most were played while he was based in NSW. I would say his reputation suffered because 20 of his 25 best games were playing for QLD. His form in the NSWRL where he played 7 seasons was fair at best most of the time. Kind of the 80-90's version of Dane Gagai. He also loses out because his teams were poor and as such he wasn't featured on television much.
Rod
Guest
I watched a fair bit of linder, he had some great games for Queensland , but I don’t think many Eels fans would have great memories of him. Tallis was a great player and one of the hardest running and defending players I have seen, hardly over rated . Great player worthy of his induction
Matt H
Roar Guru
I would have a thought a bunch of those rep games would have been while he was playing for Souths and then Wynnum in the Brisbane competition. His club record there was very good. He was in three grand finals in a row, winning in 1986. Funny thing, he played for Souths in the grand final in 1984 where they were beaten by Wynnum Manly. He then jumped ship over the Wynnum and in the next grand final, Wynnum lost to Souths. I think his reputation suffers from having never played a long stint at any club. He never played for more than three seasons with anyone.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Like some others I may have had a different final six out of the group of nominees, specifically I think Tallis was a little overrated, but really the judges were very qualified and they are all great players. So well done to the six inductees. I hope the Hall of Fame is now given the publicity and recognition it deserves and they continue to induct new members regularly.
Sammy
Guest
Unfortunately Bob Lindner had a pretty ordinary Club record. He played 7 seasons in NSWRL and only played 1 Finals Match which was 5th vs 4th in 1991. He would probably hold the record for most representative matches as a percentage of club matches - 49 Rep Matches but only 97 First Grade Club matches.
Matt H
Roar Guru
That Norths team which beat SouthsI think to win the premiership had some very handy players and a really good coach. In addition to Mark Graham, I remember they had Mark Murray, Greg Conescu and Joe Kilroy
Matt H
Roar Guru
To be fair his forehead can be extremely shiny.