The NRL will pay tribute to seven retiring members of the 300-Club during a moving build-up to the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final 2018 on Sunday at ANZ Stadium.
Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Luke Lewis (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Simon Mannering (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 for 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," NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said.
"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 tomorrow to see the pre-match entertainment, which will include a performance by ARIA Award-winning Australian band Gang of Youths. The National Anthem will be sung by Samantha Jade.
Roosters v Storm - Grand Final
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 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final is supported by the NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
All tickets to the NRL 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.
NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final 2018
12.15am Precinct opens
1.15pm ANZ Stadium gates open
1.35pm NRL Holden 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 Telstra Premiership Grand Final 2018 Kick Off
Sydney Roosters v Melbourne Storm
