A 25-strong shortlist has been unveiled for the NRL Hall of Fame’s six new inductees to be announced in July.

Some of the code’s biggest names will vie for the chance to join the 100 Hall of Fame members who were inducted as part of rugby league’s centenary year in 2008.

Modern greats Gorden Tallis, Danny Buderus, Ricky Stuart and Kevin Walters feature on a list that includes more than 300 State of Origin appearances and 400-plus Tests.

Greg Alexander, Cliff Lyons, Paul Harragon and Petero Civoniceva have also been nominated from the modern era.

But the list also spans back to Roosters lock Jack “Bluey” Watkins from the game’s earliest days in the 1910s.

Stacey Jones, Ruben Wiki and Mark Graham are in line to become the first New Zealand players to join the Hall of Fame.

“The players nominated collectively represent thousands of matches, hundreds of rugby league years and millions of memories for fans,” NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said.

“Their on-field performances live on today among the many passionate supporters who saw them play – and they will never be forgotten.”

A 25-strong panel comprising historians, administrators, media veterans and 10 Hall of Fame members will select the inductees from the shortlist.

Up to two new Immortals will be announced the month after the Hall of Fame finalists are unveiled.

Players can only be considered for Immortal status if they are Hall of Fame members and been retired for at least five years.

NRL HALL OF FAME SHORTLIST

Bob Lindner, Cliff Lyons, Craig Young, Danny Buderus, Denis Flannery, Elwyn Walters, Gorden Tallis, Greg Alexander, Ian Moir, Jack “Bluey” Watkins, Kevin Walters, Mark Graham, Michael O’Connor, Paul Harragon, Peter Dimond, Petero Civoniceva, Ricky Stuart, Rod Reddy, Ron Lynch, Royce Simmons, Ruben Wiki, Stacey Jones, Steve Menzies, Steve Renouf, Wally O’Connell.