Best of the best: Rabbitohs gun Sam Burgess top of the locks?
Barnstorming tackle-busters, defensive powerhouses, skilful ballplayers — there have been a range of different styles of locks over the past 40 years, but who’s been the best? Read our list and vote!
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In the latest of our series on the NRL’s finest, TRAVIS MEYN rates the best lock forwards of the past 40 years.
1 Sam Burgess: The recently retired South Sydney legend started 92 of his 182 NRL games for the Rabbitohs in the No.13 jersey and was as good as they come, the tough Englishman winning Dally M lock of the year in 2014 before going on to claim the Clive Churchill Medal in a heroic grand final performance. A shoulder injury brought his career to a premature end last year and he has left a huge void at the Rabbitohs.
2 Jason Taumalolo: The barnstorming North Queensland Cowboys forward set a new standard for locks with his incredible statistics. Taumalolo burst on to the NRL scene in 2010 as a teenager, but it wasn’t until a few years later that he truly started to dominate. Was crowned Dally M Medal winner in 2016 and has also won lock of the year in 2015, 16 and 18. The Cowboys signed him to an NRL record 10-year contract to ensure he would remain in Townsville for his entire career.
3 Brad Clyde: The former Blues and Kangaroos star made 144 appearances in the No.13 jersey for the Raiders and Bulldogs from 1988-2000. A two-time Clive Churchill Medal winner (1989,91), Clyde rose on the big stage and was also crowned Dally M lock of the year in 1989-90. Remains one of Canberra’s greatest ever products.
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4 Paul Gallen: The Cronulla legend played 348 NRL games for the Sharks and started 242 of those in his favoured No. 13 jersey, making him the most-capped lock in the game between 1980 and 2020. Gallen was crowned the RLIF lock of the year in 2008, 11 and 12 and won the Dally M equivalent in 2011, 12 and 17. Captained NSW in his favoured jersey and also wore it for the Kangaroos before retiring at the age of 38 last year.
5 Ray Price: The Parramatta legend remains of the game’s greatest ever lock forwards. Price just sneaks into the eligibility, having retired in 1986 after starting 159 games in the No. 13. Made 22 Test appearances for the Kangaroos and was NSW’s lock in the early years of State of Origin. Was named Dally M lock of the year for a remarkable five straight years (1982-86) and won the Dally M Medal in 1982.
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6 Paul Langmack: The second-most capped lock of the past 40 years made 201 of his 313 appearances in the No. 13 jersey for Canterbury, Western Suburbs and the Roosters. Langmack played State of Origin for NSW at lock in 1987-88 and made his first grade debut while still in high school.
7 Bob Lindner: One of the greatest Queenslanders to ever pull on a No.13 jersey. Lindner played the early years of his first grade career in the Brisbane Rugby League for Souths (1983-84) and Wynnum (1985-86), had a stint in England then returned to Sydney. Made 25 appearances for Queensland and 22 for the Kangaroos.
8 Wayne Pearce: “Junior” is a Balmain legend and started a remarkable 186 of 192 games for the Tigers in the No. 13 jersey. Had a fantastic representative career for NSW and Australia and remains one of the game’s great players. Won the Rothmans Medal in 1985 and was named Dally M lock of the year in 1987-88. The father of Knights halfback Mitchell Pearce is now a member of the ARL Commission.
9 Corey Parker: Played a stunning 347 NRL games for the Broncos and started 161 of those at lock after spending his early years a bench forward. Parker was one of the game’s premier No.13’s when he retired in 2016 following a glittering career which also saw him claim the Queensland and Kangaroos lock duties. Kicked 380 goals and remains Brisbane’s second-most capped player behind Darren Lockyer (355 games).
10 Ben Kennedy: Was twice named Dally M lock of the year (2005-06) and was a brutal back-row forward for the Raiders, Knights and Sea Eagles. Started 89 of his 195 games at lock and split his rep appearances for Australia and NSW between lock and the second row. Played 13 Tests and 13 Origins before retiring in 2006.
11 Jim Dymock: The former NSW and Kangaroos No. 13 was crowned Dally M lock of the year three times in 1993, 95 and 96. Dymock made 141 starts at lock in a 214-game career for Wests, Canterbury and Parramatta. Has been a long-term coach post retirement and currently an assistant to Justin Holbrook at the Gold Coast Titans.
12 Luke Ricketson: The Roosters legend played 301 games for the tricolours and 173 of those came at lock. Started his career at centre before moving to the second row then lock, where he started in the Roosters’ 2002 grand final win against New Zealand. Also played lock for NSW and the Kangaroos in a solid rep career.
13 Greg Bird: The enforcer floated between five-eighth and the back row throughout his career, starting 80 games in the No. 13 jersey. Bird finished his 235-game NRL career at lock for the Titans and most of his 18 Origin appearances for NSW came at No. 13.
14 Brad Mackay: Started 105 games at lock in a career which also saw him play 17 Origins for NSW and 12 Tests for the Kangaroos. Mackay won the Clive Churchill Medal in the 1993 grand final despite the Dragons losing to Brisbane, proving how good a player he was.
15 Jake Trbojevic: The rising Manly star has only played 121 NRL games but is well on his way to being regarded as a great of the game. Trbojevic has started 96 games at lock and will be at the Sea Eagles for many years to come. Is also now a mainstay of the Australian and NSW rep teams.
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16 Paul Vautin: “Fatty” started 139 first grade games at lock and played 10 of his 21 Origins for Queensland in the position. The Manly legend also played lock for Australia in the 1980s and finished his career with 238 first grade appearances.
17 Billy Moore: The man who made the “Queenslander” call famous made a name for himself at North Sydney as a tough-as-nails lock forward. Moore started 176 of 211 games in the No. 13 and played 17 Origins for Queensland, starting 13 at lock. Remains one of the Bears’ greatest ever players.
18 Tonie Carroll: “Tunza” had a remarkable career, playing 218 games for the Broncos and representing Queensland, Australia and New Zealand. Carroll made 92 starts at Brisbane in the No. 13 and was a defensive machine, regularly guarding Darren Lockyer and snapping opponents in half.
19 Dallas Johnson: The Queensland cult hero wore the No. 13 jersey in 198 of his 222 NRL games for the Storm and Cowboys. Johnson played well above his weight and regularly put his head where many others wouldn’t. All of his 12 Origin appearances came at lock and his sole Test for the Kangaroos in 2007, the year he was crowned Dally M lock of the year, was at No. 13.
20 Ash Harrison: The former Queensland No. 13 started 199 of his 276 NRL games at lock during a 15-season career which saw him play for the Broncos, Rabbitohs, Roosters and Titans. Harrison was a reliable forward and highly-rated by his peers, playing well above his weight in a demanding position.