The most recent player to retire and be honoured as an Immortal was Andrew Johns, who left the game in 2007.

While he was included before many past legends, including some of this year’s leading candidates Ron Coote, Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny, a chorus of league greats were at the forefront of his call to be honoured.

Geyer disagreed with the idea of placing the legendary Maroons trio ahead of the likes of Kenny, Sterling and Coote in the Immortal hierarchy.

“Blokes like (Darren) Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Alfie Langer, and Johnathan Thurston… I think they will all eventually be Immortalised, but for me, the next person sounds like Ron Coote,” he said on Triple M’s Mick and MG in the Morning.

“He was a legendary player for South Sydney and the Roosters back in 1960s and 70s. An unmatched grand final record. He went on to found the Men of League…

“I think someone like Ron Coote can not be forgotten. I think that his contribution to our game can never be forgotten and I think that it’s long overdue that he should be an Immortal. He deserves it. “It’s either him, Brett Kenny or Peter Sterling.

“I think Brett Kenny’s unmatched record of scoring in consecutive grand finals (81, 82, 82) – he scored two tries in each grand final. He was the golden boot player with a fantastic record as has Peter Sterling.

“I wouldn’t be fussed if I saw either of them three players Immortalised.”

Geyer refused to dismiss the prospect of the modern Maroons greats becoming Immortals, stating their time will come in the near future.

“I think Cameron Smith is definitely going to be Immortalised. He is the best player I’ve seen in the game,” he said.

“(But) I think Brett Kenny and Peter Sterling [should be next], then the next brigade with Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer, and Billy Slater.

“(Slater) was the best fullback in our game. He will be Immortalised maybe in a decade but at the moment let’s all put our hands together and get Ron Coote on that legendary status.”

Bennett called for the NRL to recognise past greats before modern legends, stating younger candidates “still have a few years in front of them” to receive the opportunity to be inducted.

“There are a lot of great players,” Bennett said.

“If you talk about Alf, Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater… you’ve got to talk about all those players, but Ron Coote, he has an outstanding playing record. Absolutely outstanding.

“The (NRL) did honour Norm Provan towards the end of his life and he should have been.

“The other guys have got a few years in front of them and have (other) opportunities to get inducted.

“I have no part in the process, I wasn’t aware it was happening. I don’t know who the nominees were.”