Queenslanders were united in their outrage when Andrew Johns was named rugby league’s eighth Immortal ahead of Mal Meninga in 2012.

Meninga is one of 10 nominees fighting for two spots in rugby league’s most prestigious club, with the announcement to be made at the SCG on Wednesday night.

Ron Coote, Dally Messenger, Ken Irvine, Dave Brown, Frank Burge, Brian Bevan, Norm Provan, Duncan Hall and Darren Lockyer are the other legendary names in contention.

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Former Maroons stars Justin Hodges and Petero Civoniceva both spoke on behalf of Queenslanders on the eve of the announcement, declaring Meninga mustn’t be overlooked this time around.

“I’ve always said Mal Meninga, I just think he deserves to be there,” Hodges told Fox Sports on Tuesday.

“He sort of missed out last time when they gave the nods to Andrew Johns, so I just think he needs to be in there.

“In the 80s and 90s he was one of those iconic guys that got me involved in rugby league. I used to love watching him play, he was so aggressive and so big.

“And you saw the respect that he had immediately, on the field and off the field, and that just comes from being the player that he was – he was an outstanding player.

“… I think he deserves to be there and obviously Locky (Darren Lockyer) will get his chance in a couple of years to come but I think big Mall deserves to be there first.”

Civoniceva told The Courier Mail: “Mal’s time is now.

“As a kid growing up in Brisbane, Mal was such a dominant figure right at the start with Brisbane Souths before he became one of the greats at Canberra, Queensland and Australia.

“I was later lucky enough to be coached by Mal in the Queensland team and when he walks into a room, you feel the presence of greatness.”

Meninga played 166 games for Canberra (1986-1994), 32 Origins for Queensland (1980-1994) and 46 Tests for Australia (1982-1994).

The 58-year-old won three premierships with the Raiders (1989, 1990, 1994) and claimed the prestigious Golden Boot in 1989.

He also coached the Maroons from 2006-15, winning nine-of-10 series before his appointment as Australia coach in 2016.

Clive Churchill (1981), Bob Fulton (1981), Reg Gasnier (1981), Johnny Raper (1981), Graeme Langlands (1999), Wally Lewis (1999) and Arthur Beetson (2003) and Johns are the eight current Immortals.