RUGBY LEAGUE'S NEW IMMORTALS
DALLY MESSENGER - 48 games for Eastern Suburbs (1908-1913), two Tests for New Zealand (1908), nine Tests for Australia (1908-1910)
Rugby League's first star. Defected from rugby union and toured New Zealand with England in 1908 before playing for Eastern Suburbs in the first NSWRL season. A brilliant centre renowned for his sidestep and long-range goals, Messenger won titles with Easts in 1911, 1912 and 1913 and has the game's player of the season (Dally M Medal) named in his honour.
FRANK BURGE - 149 games for Glebe (1911-1926), 18 games for St George (1927), 13 Tests for Australia (1914-1922)
Debuted at 16 for Glebe and became an instant star. With a strike rate unmatched among forwards, he crossed for 146 tries in 167 premiership matches. He scored a record eight tries in a match for Glebe against University in 1920, captain-coached St George and coached Norths, Canterbury, Newtown and Wests as a non-player.
DAVE BROWN - 94 games for Eastern Suburbs (1930-1941), nine Tests for Australia (1933-1936).
Known as the Don Bradman of rugby league, Brown could find his way to the tryline like the Australian batsman to the boundary. Scored a record 38 tries in 15 games in season 1935 for Easts, including an incredible 11 in two matches against Canterbury. Was Australia's youngest captain at 22 and still holds the record for the most points in a match with 45.
NORM PROVAN - 256 games for St George (1951-1965), 14 Tests for Australia (1954-1960)
Joins Dragons contemporaries Reg Gasner, Johnny Raper and Graeme Langlands as an Immortal. Won a record 10 premierships with the club, including five as a captain-coach. The image of him alongside Arthur Summons is still the game's most famous photo and is remembered on the NRL's trophy.
MAL MENINGA - 166 games for Canberra (1986-1994), 32 State of Origins for Queensland (1980-1994), 46 Tests for Australia (1982-1994)
Meninga's rise to Immortality featured an unprecedented four Kangaroos tours, two as captain. He dominated Queensland's competition, winning two premierships with Souths Brisbane, before becoming a three-time premiership winner with Canberra. He was Queensland's State of Origin hero from the series' start in 1980 until his retirement in 1994 before going on to coaching brilliance.
