Andrew Johns blasts 'disrespectful' voting snub as Ron Coote unveiled as NRL's 14th Immortal

Ron Coote was officially unveiled as the NRL's 14th Immortal on Wednesday night, but Andrew Johns was left fuming that none of himself, Wally Lewis or Mal Meninga were part of the decision. Souths and Roosters legend Coote was selected ahead of the likes of Cameron Smith, Darren Lockyer, Allan Langer, Brett Kenny, Peter Sterling, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Ken Irvine, and was unveiled at a gala dinner at the SCG.

Coote's elevation was 43 years in the making, and the 80-year-old admitted he'd almost given up hope of joining the prestigious club. He had long been considered a leading contender to be an Immortal, but had been narrowly overlooked on each previous occasion.

"I'm a bit taken for words," a tearful Coote said on stage. "I never thought I would be crying when I was (almost) 80, but I am. It's still got to sink in. I am not really fully sure how it all goes.

"Every time they have announced Immortals, I have been passed. I thought this was not going to happen. This time it has come through. I wait for things to happen before I sit down and enjoy it. I've enjoyed it, and it's been good."

Andrew Johns blasts 'disrespectful' voting snub

It's doubtful Johns would disagree with the decision on Coote, but the fellow Immortal was left unimpressed that he wasn't invited to be part of the decision-making process. The NRL put together a 14-person committee this year to vote on new Hall of Fame members and the 14th Immortal.

The committee consisted of NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and ARL commission chairman Peter V'landys, as well as some of the game's leading journalists and administrators. But the three Immortals who are still alive - Johns, Lewis and Meninga - weren't invited to be on the committee.

Legendary commentator Ray Warren also wasn't part of it, despite himself, Lewis and Meninga voting on previous Hall of Fame and Immortal panels. "It's disrespectful," Johns said on the 'Freddy and the Eighth' podcast on Wednesday afternoon before the ceremony.

"I haven't had a phone call. Not one phone call about it. As of Monday, I didn't know there was going to be another Immortal being inducted. I thought it was just Hall of Fame. Not myself, not Wally, not Mal. I know they're disappointed. I know Rabs (Warren) is disappointed. Rabs is very disappointed."

Meninga had earlier told the Sydney Morning Herald: “It would have been nice to be involved, but we weren’t asked. It will always be something that is subjective anyway. But we weren’t needed. I can’t comment on this year’s Immortal because I never got the chance to vote.” Lewis added: "I’m not upset. I’m just a bit surprised. I have [voted] previously.”

Ron Coote finally unveiled as NRL Immortal

Johns, Lewis and Meninga were on stage on Wednesday night when Coote was unveiled, and there was certainly no animosity. But the decision not to have the three living Immortals as part of the selection committee was certainly a head-scratcher.

A rangy lock forward, Coote won four premierships with South Sydney between 1967 and 1971, before shifting to Eastern Suburbs in a hugely controversial move and winnings two more titles in 1974 and 1975. He was man of the match in the 1971 grand final, and is one of only five players in Australian rugby league history to have played in nine grand finals.

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He was judged Australia's best player in the 1970 Ashes series against England and scored 13 tries in 23 Tests for the Kangaroos. "As a Hall-of-Famer and multiple premiership winner, Ron Coote was already an icon and a legend," V'landys said on Wednesday night.

"Tonight, in becoming an Immortal, he has joined the most elite club in Australian sport. Ron was talented, tough and stood tall against the peerless players of his era - fellow Immortals like Johnny Raper and Graeme Langlands."

The NRL Immortals club:

• Clive Churchill (1981)

• Bob Fulton (1981)

• Reg Gasnier (1981)

• Johnny Raper (1981)

• Graeme Langlands (1999)

• Wally Lewis (1999)

• Arthur Beetson (2003)

• Andrew Johns (2012)

• Dally Messenger (2018)

• Dave Brown (2018)

• Frank Burge (2018)

• Norm Provan (2018)

• Mal Meninga (2018)

• Ron Coote (2024)

with AAP