Cameron Smith ... is one of five modern Queenslanders on track to be an Immortal. Source: Adam Head / News Limited
Bob Fulton, one of the greatest rugby league players of all time, says that five players from Queensland's all-conquering State of Origin era will be crowned Immortals.
In a rare sit-down interview at his northern beaches home, Fulton forecast rugby league's greatest individual honour - being named an Immortal - would one day come for Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer, Cam Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater.
Q: Why should NSW fans think 2013 will be any different to the past seven years?
A: The tide started to turn when Ricky (Stuart) was appointed full-time. That was a very important decision by the NSWRL. That laid the foundation for what is going to happen in the future.
Let's not get away from the fact we are playing against the best-ever Origin side. Queensland has a core of players who, once they retire, will be recognised as serious greats of the game.
There will probably be four or five of them that will end up being Immortals.
You look at Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer and Cam Smith. Smith is the best hooker to ever play the game. Queensland can be struggling and then one of the freaks will do something that will turn the game.
Q: Big statement Bob. You believe there will be no less than five Immortals from the Maroons team?
A: I do. I am only going on what I see. Ask any judge or football supporter and they will come to the same conclusion. Queensland has five genuine Immortals coming through.
Q: That said, how the hell are we going to win?
A: We nearly won last year. We were only one point away, a Cooper Cronk field goal. We are getting better. That is now being told by the number of players NSW is getting in the Australian side.
In recent times, Queensland had 11 or 12 players in the 17-man Test squad. We now have players forcing their way in through performance and ability. Last year a number of decisions went against NSW which were blatantly wrong. It could have meant us winning our first series in seven years.
Q: Bob, a prickly question for you. We have lost seven successive series. You are the only person who was involved in all of them.
A: I was also involved when we won five.
Q: City-Country Bob, is it irrelevant?
A: Bulldog, I'm a massive supporter of representative football at any level. A rep weekend is great for the game.
Q: Sonny Bill Williams has stormed back into our game. Have you forgiven him for what he did to rugby league?
A: I don't think it is up to someone like me to forgive him. It's a professional sport and he is quite entitled to do what he likes. I don't know the details of what happened at Canterbury-Bankstown. That is a matter for the Bulldogs and Sonny Bill. All I know is that the bloke can play like all hell and is a naturally gifted player. He is the complete package, an unbelievable athlete.
Q: You lost your good mate Ian Walsh last week. Sad times.
A: We had lots of good times. The only thing that surpassed his football ability and prowess was the quality of person he was. He was a great man with great communication skills. He got on very well with my sons. We used to go away hunting and fishing together when Brett was 11 and Scott was 13. He would tell them stories around the campfire of yarns when he was playing football. They were engrossed.
Q: You still think back fondly on the memories of another great mate, the late Peter 'Chippy' Frilingos?
A: I do. Ray Hadley and I often talk about it, particularly on 2GB's Continuous Call team when a song is played or some old quips would come up that Chippy would say. He was one of the world's funniest men.
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