25 years ago they lined up in an under 18s grand final, little did they know they would become premiership teammates

A former Melbourne Storm and NQ Cowboys star has returned to where it all started, revealing his surprising first impressions of a future legend of the game.

2007 NRL Grand Final. Melbourne Storm v Manly Sea Eagles. Telstra Stadium. Cooper Cronk, Dallas Johnson and Billy Slater celebrate

Former North Queensland Cowboys and Melbourne Storm star Dallas Johnson returned to his junior club at the weekend to celebrate a day when he triumphed over one of the sport’s all time greats.

Dallas Johnson was the Atherton Roosters under 18 premiership winning captain in 1999 and now, 25 years later, returned to the club to relive that day.

He has recalled how he was lined up against his soon to be teammate Billy Slater in that final — and what he thought of the future star.

The Roosters claimed a 38-24 victory over Innisfail Leprechauns in 1999, with both Johnson and Slater captaining their respective sides.

“I didn’t think much of him when we played against him, but that doesn’t mean much now in the context of it all,” Johnson said

“To be honest I don’t remember much of him back then, we flogged Innisfail and he played, that is about all I remember of him from that game.

“But then a few years later we debuted together, then played our 150th game together.

“He went on to do what he has done and you know he is one of the greats of our game with what he has achieved.”

Billy Slater and Dallas Johnson will play there 150th game on Friday night against the Cowboys.

Four years after the match up, the two players were picked up and debuted together for the Melbourne Storm.

“We got invited down to do some training with them, and were lucky enough to stay a bit longer,” Johnson said.

“It was pretty special to be able to play at that sort of level, you don’t take that for granted at all.

“I think when you look at memories of our time as teammates and all the others I played with, I would have to say the mateship is what I remember the most.

“We played Cronulla in our debut game together, we beat them from memory.”

Both Dallas Johnson and Billy Slater were part of the 2007 Melbourne Storm premiership winning side, also being named in the team of the decade.

“We played our 150 games together which was really special," Johnson said.

“We had then reflected on what we had achieved together, but also as a team.

“Those types of memories always stick with you wherever you go.”

Johnson moved to France in 2010 to play for the Catalans Dragons before returning to Australia where he played for the Cowboys from 2011-13.

The Queensland lock played 157 games for the Storm, 65 for the Cowboys, 28 for the Dragons.

But some of his fondest memories were playing the 12 games for Queensland in the State of Origin and suiting up for Australia in 2007.

“It is great to be able to get back to the local club and catch up with premiership teammates and talk about the old days,” Johnson said.

“Some great stories you hear from the past players and then to watch the boys play as well was a great concept.

“It was a pretty special day, think about all the teams that won and we celebrated what the 1974, 94, our 99 and 04 premiership winning sides.

“That is something pretty special.”

Originally published as 25 years ago they lined up in an under 18s grand final, little did they know they would become premiership teammates