Kevin Campion, Nathan Hindmarsh, Michael Luck and Dallas Johnson. Great, small lock forwards who specialised in simply tackling much bigger opponents over a long career.
We salute one of the last of these great defensive players in recent times.
Johnson once set a record for the most tackles in an NRL match for North Queensland in 2004, against Parramatta – 64. It was ironic that one of his opponents that day, Nathan Hindmarsh, was the most recent of these special players.
These guys were 93-95 kilograms and made a career out of tackling, playing 80 minutes every week and organising their team’s defence.
With Johnson’s impending retirement, out goes the last of these truly great defensive lock forwards.
There is never anything flashy about his play. There are no news stories written about try scoring feats or his ability to get the offload away.
They are different type of player. The current crop of NRL locks include the likes of Elijah Taylor, Todd Lowrie, Ryan Hoffman, Luke Lewis, Nate Myles, David Stagg and Simon Mannering who play similar roles for their respective teams.
Most have extra strings to their play. Even Mannering, usually considered a defensive specialist, has added offloading to his game. Johnson has seemingly never changed his role much to the benefit of his team.
Johnson averages over 41 tackles a game for North Queensland; incredible numbers but illustrative of his work rate and often unheralded success.
There will be little media fan fare over Johnson’s retirement announcement this week.
And after 10 years of top rugby league, including 221 NRL matches, a stint in the Super League, a Test match for Australia, plus a dozen State of Origin matches for Queensland, a quiet getaway seems appropriate as his playing role doesn’t attract attention.
However, we should take this time to salute him.
So, will we see another Campion, Hindmarsh or Johnson? Maybe, but will they be quite like this elite group?
Jake
Guest
Good comeback, Andrew........ Not.
Jake
Guest
Good article. Don't agree with the current players you mentioned though. I mean Stagg and Hoffman haven't even played in the 13 this year, Hoffman I doubt has ever played lock. Taylor, Lowrie & Mannering all play for the same team meaning only Taylor plays lock. Has Lowrie even being playing this year? I agree with a comment earlier, that Fenson would be the closest to DJ in the current game.
Jake
Guest
That just makes his achievement even better doesn't it..... Not only was he playing for another club 2000kms away, but he played a game with a rival team to make this great feat!
Jake
Guest
Probably 100kgs when he was 15!
Daniel P
Guest
You're a Champion Dallas, Melbourne will never forget you mate!
Simon
Guest
"Johnson once set a record for the most tackles in an NRL match for North Queensland in 2004, against Parramatta – 64." Wasnt he playing for the Storm in 2004?
Andrew Marmont
Roar Guru
Thanks Silver - yes, agree about Tongue.
Andrew Marmont
Roar Guru
Hi Morfs - Hinch or Hoff can play similiar roles, but yes you are right, Hinchcliffe is usually at lock. Agree too - hopefully he can have a pain free post playing life!
Morfs
Guest
Andrew, do you mean Ryan Hinchcliffe instead of Ryan Hoffman? Hoffman is a second-rower, not a lock forward. Hinchcliffe often plays at number 13, but yes, has extra strings (such as the ability to shift to dummy-half/hooker) to his ability. He is also, however, a tackling machine when need be. Sad to see DJ go. He's a truly likeable guy, and one of the best, if not highly talented, players I've been fortunate enough to watch on a regular basis. I just hope that he doesn't have any problems later in life from all the concussions he's received during his playing carreer.
Andrew Marmont
Roar Guru
Thanks Kris, will be interesting to track his progress and development!
Kris Swales
Expert
Well he's not exactly a giant of a man and his defensive stats are comparable. I actually think Fensom has the skills to become more of a ball-player, but the Raiders seem determined to play him in a battering ram type role.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
alan tongue was a another similar player
Andrew Marmont
Roar Guru
Thanks Peeko - I think you will find in the early 2000's Hindmarsh was about 100 kilos, so he was a little heavier than these others - but agree, Stagg and Lowrie similiar ilk.
Andrew Marmont
Roar Guru
Do you think he is cut of the same cloth as Campion and co though Kris? Very different players than your usual number 13.
Kris Swales
Expert
The last? Shaun Fensom would be rolling in his grave if he weren't still very much alive.
Ask
Guest
To be fair Hindmarsh later in his career became more tackling machine and less attack oriented, but I suspect more of that was due to the lazy blokes he had around him which then led to him not having the energy to focus on his attacking game. Back to the point of the article though and Mr D Johnson is owed a lot by his Melbourne and Nth Queensland team mates for the tireless work he does on the field.
peeeko
Roar Guru
nathan hindmarsh? he was 108kg and did a lot with the ball as well as be a tackling machine. david stagg and todd lowrie are much more similar players to DJ than HIndmarsh. hopefully we see interchange reduced and players like DJ continue to play NRL