NRL announces 2024 Hall of Fame class, including Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk

The NRL has named the 11 men who will be the new inductees into its Hall of Fame, including Melbourne’s big three, State of Origin legends and international icons.

The league announced the 2024 class on Wednesday, which will be officially inducted next week at a ceremony at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The 11 players joining the Hall of Fame are:

• Lionel Morgan
• The Boyds
• Ben Elias
• Steve Renouf
• Cameron Smith
• Jonathan Thurston
• Billy Slater
• Benji Marshall
• Cooper Cronk
• Greg Inglis
• Sam Burgess

Smith, the only man to play 400 NRL games, joins the Hall of Fame along with Melbourne Storm legends Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis, who became a South Sydney legend as a championship winner.

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Morgan was a pioneer of Australian sport, becoming the first Indigenous athlete to represent Australia in any major code.

Meanwhile, Sam Burgess will become the first English representative to be inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame.

Australian Rugby League chairman Peter V’landys described the class of 2024 as “some of the toughest, most talented and greatest players of their generations”.

“I’m impressed with this group of players and what they’ve each done in the game and for the game,” V’landys said.

“It’s the best of the best across several phenomenal eras. The group is filled with Premiership winners, Dally M Medal winners, Clive Churchill Medal winners, representatives from Australia, New Zealand and England.

“There are brilliant halves, powerful and tough forwards and talented full-backs. All these players are exceptional.”