Ron Coote Named Rugby League Immortal

Ron Coote has been named the 14th 'Immortal' of Australian rugby league, the highest honor in the sport, at a ceremony at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The former South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters player was recognized for his outstanding contributions, including winning six premierships and three World Cups with Australia. Coote, known for his defensive prowess and 'round-the-legs' tackling, played in nine grand finals between 1965 and 1975. The award was presented by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, making Coote one of the elite figures in Australian sport alongside legends like Mal Meninga and Andrew Johns. Emotional during his acceptance, Coote expressed deep gratitude for the opportunities rugby league has afforded him, attributing his successful life to the game. The Immortal status, conceived by Rugby League Week magazine and later adopted by the Australian Rugby League Commission, celebrates the greatest players in the game's history.