The NRL will pay tribute to seven retiring members of the 300-Club during a moving build-up to the premiership grand final between Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm at ANZ Stadium today.
Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Luke Lewis (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Simon Mannering (Vodafone Warriors), Chris Heighington (Newcastle Knights) and Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos) will be part of the tribute. Billy Slater and Ryan Hoffman, who are in the Melbourne Storm squad for the grand final, will also be acknowledged.
Other players who will be part of the Retiring Players Class of 2018 are: Jonathan Wright (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Peter Wallace, Tim Browne (Penrith Panthers), Antonio Winterstein (North Queensland Cowboys), Beau Scott (Parramatta Eels), Jacob Lillyman (Newcastle Knights), Joseph Paulo (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Brenton Lawrence (Gold Coast Titans), Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra), Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Sydney Roosters) and Jason Clark (South Sydney Rabbitohs).
"This is an extraordinary group of players," said NRL CEO Todd Greenberg.
"This group has played quite literally thousands of NRL matches, and some of the players being acknowledged are some of our greatest players ever.
"But this list also includes some wonderful ambassadors for the game and I am certain we will see these players represent the game long after their playing careers have ended."
Supporters are encouraged to be in their seats by 6.30pm to see the pre-match entertainment, which will include a performance by ARIA Award-winning Australian band Gang of Youths.
With strong demand for tickets, the NRL has released a limited number of $70 restricted view seats for the grand final. Tickets are available for the Grand Final via nrl.com/tickets.
Every fan who attends the event will also receive a seat cushion filled with premium product courtesy of Chemist Warehouse.
The 2018 grand final is supported by the NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
All tickets to the grand final include return travel on Sydney trains, regular bus services and Sydney Olympic Park major event buses, Sydney ferries services and light rail services.
Direct train services from east and west to Olympic Park will run every 10-15 minutes from approximately 1pm.
Sydney Olympic Park major event buses begin running from 11.50am and 12.30pm, depending on the route.
GRAND FINAL DAY
12.15pm | Precinct opens
1.15pm | ANZ Stadium gates open
1.35pm | NRL women's premiership grand final | Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Roosters
3:40pm | Intrust Super state championship | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Redcliffe Dolphins
6:30pm | Entertainment commences inside ANZ Stadium
7.20pm | NRL premiership grand final | Sydney Roosters v Melbourne Storm
