Herbert 'Dally' Messenger /

Year inducted: 2023

True Blue number: 11

Born: 12 April, 1883, Balmain, NSW

Club/s: Eastern Suburbs

Position: Centre/wing

Premiership career: (1908-13) 48 games, 21 tries, 120 goals, 381 points

First Grade debut: Eastern Suburbs v North Sydney at RAS Showground on 20 June, 1908

Representative honours: (1908-10) Australia 9 Tests; (1907-12) NSW 26 interstate matches

Other honours: Rugby League Immortal 2018, NRL Hall of Fame 2008, ARL Team of the Century 2008, NSW Team of the Century 2008

Herbert Henry Messenger, known as ‘Dally’ and ‘The Master’, was one of the game’s first superstars and his defection from rugby union to Rugby League in 1907 is considered a pivotal moment in the game’s history.

Born in Balmain and growing up in Double Bay, Messenger was a talented sportsperson. He played predominantly as a centre, was of stocky build, a solid defender, and a powerful runner with the football. He was also a freakish goalkicker, able to kick towering goals from his own side of halfway and also kicked a field goal against Glebe while one leg was being pinned by Glebe’s captain Chris McKivat.

Messenger played with Eastern Suburbs in the inaugural Rugby League season in 1908 although he was restricted to only a handful of appearances due to a heavy representative schedule. He played his first interstate match for NSW In 1908 and kicked a goal in the 43-0 win over Queensland. He toured with the Kangaroos and topped the aggregates with just under 100 points as well as landing numerous goals from the other side of halfway including one from 73m out.

He helped steer Eastern Suburbs to three premierships from 1911-13 and his 1911 season is regarded as his greatest after scoring a record 270 points. He played 26 games all up for NSW and retired at the end of the 1913 season where Easts presented him with the Royal Agricultural Society Shield in appreciation.