Not so much the controversy but who is going to tune in to watch someone they’ve never heard of have their grandchildren talk about their career and how great they were? The rusted on fans will do that but the more casual fans won’t be interested.
That said, it helps 9 and Fox being able to introduce their panelists as Hall of Famers, especially the ones who cannot string a coherent sentence together.
NRL needs to take control and set out how they intend to make things right for older generation players and set a framework, something like:
2025:
- do a job lot on players who retired up to the year 2000 HOF in one hit.
- if there's a ratio of HOF to Immortal, then do a job lot to decide those Immortals.
- assess 2001-2005 HOF
2026:
- assess 2001-2005 Immortals
- assess 2006-2010 HOF
2027:
- assess 2006-2010 Immortals
- assess 2011-2015 HOF
2028:
- assess 2011-2015 Immortals
- assess 2016-2020 HOF
2029:
- assess 2016-2020 Immortals
- assess 2021-2025 HOF
2030 onwards:
- resume annual assessments for HOF and Immortals
- allow for any oversights from prior years - which will allow continued debate and controversy to play out in the media.
Right now, I couldn't give a toss about any of it, as it is all random or reactionary (FFS they adjusted the framework to get Smith in this year - that merkin can wait). Take ownership and make it something all fans and players can be proud of.