THE superb playing career of Andrew Johns was tonight immortalised in history when he was inducted into the most exclusive club in rugby league. As expected, Johns was revealed as the eighth Immortal at the black-tie Men of League function in Sydney, surrounded by the surviving inductees as well as other greats of the game.
They included those he beat into the pantheon: Ron Coote, Norm Provan and Mal Meninga, all of whom would not have looked out of place alongside Johns.
The former Kangaroos, NSW and Newcastle halfback looked genuinely stunned and humbled when NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell announced his inclusion.
Johns becomes an Immortal alongside the late Clive Churchill and Arthur Beetson, Johnny Raper, Reg Gasnier, Bob Fulton, Graeme Langlands and Wally Lewis.
The 38-year-old won two premierships with the Knights, in 1997 and 2001, and also helped engineer series wins for the Blues and Kangaroos.
But his real contribution came in the way that he changed halfback play with an all-round game that is unlikely to ever be equalled.
Of course, the induction of Johns will polarise opinion.
The growing belief throughout this week that Johns would gain immortality stirred a chorus of discontent from those who argued he should have been excluded for admitting he had used recreational drugs during his career.
Yet the sole judging criteria to gain entry to the coveted group, ever since Rugby League Week devised the Immortals concept in 1981, has been restricted to whatever a player achieved on the field.
Whatever he did off the field, good or bad, had to be forgotten.
Nevertheless, Raper had been of the opinion that Johns should not be considered because of his drug use when the 18-strong judging panel met three months ago.
But the St George legend appeared to soften that stance yesterday just before Johns was name
"When you take a look at it not every player is an angel," Raper told Sky Sport Radio. "I don't see why you should take it off someone who gets in a little bit of trouble. Andrew Johns got in a little bit of trouble, but he should be considered for what he did on the field."
