The NRL has tonight formally inducted four Players and three Contributors to the Hall of Fame.
In a glittering ceremony at Carriageworks, Redfern, the first Contributors were formally added to the prestigious group of Hall of Famers.
During the event, the NRL recognised Craig Young, Stacey Jones, Ruben Wiki and Danny Buderus in the Players category.
Also acknowledged for their contributions to Rugby League on the night were JJ Giltinan (Administration), Peter Frilingos (Print Media) and Ray Warren (Broadcast Media).
Young, Jones, Wiki and Buderus accepted the honour in person, as did Warren. Giltinan’s great grand-nephew Bob accepted the award on behalf of the Giltinan family, while Frilingos’s son Matt accepted the honour on behalf of the Frilingos family.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg told the gathering the Hall of Fame was an important opportunity to reflect on and acknowledge those who made enormous contributions to the game.
“These are seven passionate, influential, talented and famed individuals who all stand deservedly amongst the 106 others who already form our Hall of Fame,” Mr Greenberg said on the night.
“Our inductees have all played different but all incredibly significant roles in shaping the game as we know it.
“They have all made extraordinary contributions – and we are proud to include them in this year’s Class.
“We are nothing without our past, without our history. And tonight, we dipped our collective hats to those who dug the well.”
The NRL will acknowledge Coaches and Referees in 2020.
Detailed facts and figures on all seven of the 2019 inductees are available here.
For more information on the NRL Hall of Fame and Immortals, please visit nrl.com/hall-of-fame/