BY STAFF WRITERS

Ron Coote has gone from a legend to the 14th NRL Immortal after a gala event held at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday night.

The iconic forward won four premierships with South Sydney and two with Eastern Suburbs over a glittering career.

Coote, now 80, could barely keep back the tears on-stage, alongside his fellow living Immortals.

“I’m a bit taken for words at the moment,” Coote said after being awarded his prize by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“For me it’s sensational – I never thought it would happen.

“I’ve been at this function a few times and this time I’ve got the gong.

“It really means a lot to me and I really appreciate it.”

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The late Arthur Beetson once said Coote was the greatest grand final player he’d ever seen.

“I appreciate everything rugby league has done for me,” Coote went on.

“”I can go back to the days when I played junior league in Souths Juniors.

“They were always supportive to us.

“When I was a kid I remember we had a tour to New Zealand when I was a 12-year-old. They took us over there and we played two or three games and I thought ‘this game’s for me’ and it has been.

“I’ve had a great life.

“I put that down to the opportunity I’ve been given through playing the game of rugby league.

“I certainly admire it today, I see the great game it is, how it’s improved.

“It’s the greatest game in the world. I watch the TV at all hours now because I can’t not watch it it’s so good.

“That’s my story. I’d like to say thank you to everyone here tonight and say keep following rugby league. I’m sure you’ll get a lot of satisfaction and pleasure from the great game.”

Coote played 36 games for Australia and New South Wales.