- Andrew Johns has hit out at the NRL
- New Immortal to be inducted tonight
- Johns says he was not consulted
Andrew Johns has hit out at the NRL after revealing he was not consulted over the induction of a new Immortal at tonight’s ceremony.
The 14th member of the game’s most exclusive club will be inducted at the Hall of Fame ceremony in Sydney tonight, with Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith and Roosters great Ron Coote among the leading candidates for elevation.
Johns is one of three living Immortals alongside Wally Lewis and Mal Meninga, but said none of the trio had been consulted about the club’s next member.
A new voting system has been used to determine who will be elevated to Immortal status. The 14-person panel, made up mainly of journalists, cast their votes at NRL headquarters in July.
But Johns was heartbroken that he had no influence on the vote, and confessed that he only recently learned that a new Immortal would be joining.
“It’s disrespectful,” he said via Nine.
“I haven’t received any phone call. Not a single phone call about it.
“I didn’t know on Monday that there was going to be another Immortal inducted. I thought it was just going to be Hall of Fame inductions.”
Andrew Johns has criticised the NRL for what he sees as a snub ahead of Hall of Fame night
The great footballer says he was not consulted about the incorporation of a new Immortal
Legendary football announcer Ray “Rabs” Warren has served on Hall of Fame voting panels before, but was not included this time.
“I, Wally and Mal were not asked to cast a vote. I know they are disappointed,” Johns said.
I know Rabs is disappointed. Rabs is very disappointed.
Johns added that he was contacted by the NRL on Monday and informed of his duties that evening.
“I’ll be on stage for the Immortal announcement, but I didn’t even know there would be another Immortal included on Wednesday night,” he said.