Cameron Smith makes huge call on next Immortal as NRL world debates massive honour

NRL legend Cameron Smith said he should not be next in line to become a rugby league Immortal having backed icons Ron Coote, Alfie Langer and Darren Lockyer to be recognised. Last week, the NRL announced the next Immortal would be inducted into the elite group in August.

Smith, Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston have all become eligible for the honour having retired from the NRL more than three years ago. And the eligibility of the likes of Smith, Slater and Thurston has prompted a fierce debate among fans on whether any one of these modern greats should be included before past legends.

Smith has firmed as one of the favourites for induction in 2024. The No.9 is a near certainty to be included as a future Immortal, but it is more a question of when he will be inducted. The Storm legend is certainly a chance this time around. However, Smith claimed he should not skip the queue having listed four players that deserve recognition before he does.

And when Panthers legend Greg Alexander asked Smith who should be next, one name was at the top of the list. "Well first and foremost, I get embarrassed by this stuff...I am flattered my name is mentioned alongside some of the greatest players of our game," he said on SEN Radio.

"I would love to see some of the guys that finished their career some time ago...inducted. Someone like Ron Coote who was such a legendary player. He was my father's favourite player when he was growing up. I think it was six premierships he finished with...I think he would be a fantastic candidate."

Smith then said a few players he watched growing up could be next. The names he mentioned included Allan Langer and Darren Lockyer from the Maroons. "A couple of guys I grew up watching. Allan Langer. I think he is sometimes forgotten for the things he did in the game," Smith added.

"I think Darren Lockyer. Just given he dominated the game for a long period of time and did it playing two different positions. He came into the game as a fullback and made the transition to five-eighth. He won a Golden Boot in both positions as best player in the world."

Smith also nominated Peter Sterling as a candidate having dominated the NRL with the Parramatta Eels. Smith does have a very compelling case to be next as well. Smith has a big case to enter the Immortal conversation as arguably rugby league's greatest ever No.9 and one of the best players to play the game. Smith played a record 400 NRL games, won two Dally M medals and is the highest point scorer in history with 2786.

Kevvie Walters calls for Allan Langer to be next Immortal

Langer's case to become the next Immortal has been getting plenty of attention with Broncos coach Kevvie Walters calling for him to be recognised. Langer won four man of the match awards across 34 State of Origin appearances. He played 258 club games and won four premierships as captain with the Broncos. And last week, Walters called for Langer to be recognised for his achievements.

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"It is pretty clear in my head that Allan Langer is very much underrated as far as elite players go and Immortal players," Walters said. "There is nothing he didn't do on the field for the Broncos, whether it was captaining the club to four premierships or captaining Queensland to series wins or for Australia.

"Locky would be another one but I have got Alf in front of Locky at this stage. I am not saying Locky can't be an Immortal in the future but right now Alfie is the one. They have got a statue of him (at Suncorp Stadium). All they have got to do now is make him Immortal. Cameron, JT and Billy have only just recently retired. We've got to go back to the future."

The latest player to retire and be named an Immortal was Andrew Johns in 2012. While he was included before past legends, many fans consider Johns to be the best rugby league player of all time. Regardless, supporters always enter a fierce debate on who should be the next inducted into the elite group with a number of legends such as Brett Kenny, Glenn Lazarus and Ron Coote waiting their turn.

The NRL's current Immortals:

• Clive Churchill

• John Raper

• Reg Gasnier

• Bob Fulton

• Dave Brown

• Frank Burge

• Mal Meninga

• Dally Messenger

• Norm Provan

• Andrew Johns

• Arthur Beetson

• Wally Lewis

• Graeme Langlands