John Lang

Busy, constructive Brisbane Easts hooker was one of only two Queensland players selected on the 1973 Kangaroo tour. Lang played in the First Test against France, and in 7 other matches, and the following year was a tireless performer in three interstate matches played over a six-day period. Lang played in the Second Test against Great Britain in 1974 and continued to toil tirelessly for Queensland (he was a try-scorer in each of three interstate matches in 1976) and for Australia (1975 World Series competition and against NZ in 1978). He won three premierships with Brisbane Easts (1972 & 1977-78) before accepting an offer from former Kangaroo teammate Bob Fulton to play for Easts in 1980. A member of the Australian squad that toured NZ that year, Lang had been the star of NSW's win over Queensland that year but then had the satisfaction of returning 'home' to play for Queensland in the first ever State of Origin match. Following Easts' 19-4 loss to C’bury in the grand final, he turned his back on Sydney to coach Brisbane Easts in 1981-84 and 1990-93, capturing premierships in 1983 and 1991 (and runners-up to Brisbane Wests in 1992-93). Having achieved so much in Brisbane Lang accepted a new challenge in taking over from coach from Arthur Beetson as Cronulla coach in 1994. He had a great season in his first year, moulding the young talent in the club into a formidable force on their home ground, before signing with Super League in 1995. In 1997 he coached Super League Australia in all five Tests and took the Sharks to the Telstra Cup grand final against Brisbane. His sixth season as coach found the Sharks vying for premiership favouritism in 1999 but despite making qualifying finals in 1999 and 2001 Cronulla could not break through and win a maiden premiership title. In 2001 Lang announced his departure from the Sharks after eight seasons and was snapped up by Penrith for 2002. At the Panthers Lang took a club that had finished last in 2001 to premiership success in 2003 – a just reward for one of the hardest-working men in rugby league. After five seasons with the club his contract was not renewed when Penrith failed to make the play-offs in 2005-06.