Allan 'Alfie' Langer

One of the most gifted halfbacks of the modern era, team-mate Kevin Walters once said that Langer’s career gave hope to every kid thought to be too small to play the game. Langer grew up in Ipswich where he was coached by former Test star Tom Raudonikis. Although not initially wanted by Queensland coach Wayne Bennett when he starred in a selection trial in 1987, once selected, Langer impressed with a confident display as Queensland recaptured the State of Origin crown. It was his performance in the first State of Origin match in 1988, however, in the absence of an injured Wally Lewis that the new 'King' was hailed. The tiny halfback mesmerised NSW with his darting, incisive bursts that become a trademark of his game. He made his debut for Australia against Papua New Guinea (yet another ‘man of the match’ performance) before playing against the Rest of the World and in the World Cup final win in NZ. Langer broke his leg in 1989 and missed Australia’s tour of NZ, but was back at halfback in Tests against France and NZ in 1990. Touring with the 1990 Kangaroos he was dropped after Australia's shock defeat in the First Test at Wembley but, in early 1991, he won four consecutive man-of-the-match awards culminating in Brisbane's Challenge Cup pre-season win. Following Australia's Test series win over NZ in 1991, injury ruled him out of the tour of Papua New Guinea at season’s end but 1992 was undoubtedly 'Alf' Langer's year. Taking over the Bronco and Queensland captaincy he led the club to its first minor premiership and grand final victory as well as winning the Rothmans Medal as best and fairest player along the way. Earlier that year, he kicked a field-goal to snatch victory in the second State of Origin match and although Queensland were edged out of the series his brilliant display in Brisbane's grand final win (scoring two tries) earned him the Clive Churchill Medal. He was a logical first choice for the Australian team to take on Great Britain in the World Cup final a week later and then finished the seasons by leading Brisbane in their World Club Challenge win over Wigan. 1993 saw Langer inspire the Broncos to their second grand final win but he came under intense scrutiny for his tackling style. Langer's action in bringing down bigger players by sticking his leg out after a cursory hand was placed on them was a borderline trip and the League responded by changing the rule to state that both hands must be placed on the player tackled. In 1994, he was widely tipped to be replaced in Australia's Test side following Queensland's loss in their third consecutive State-of-Origin series but retained his place in the one-off match against France at P’matta Stadium at the expense of Canberra play-maker Ricky Stuart. He was not so lucky on the Kangaroo Tour, and following Australia's lacklustre First Test loss at Wembley, Langer was relegated to the reserves bench where coach Bob Fulton showed his loyalty by playing him as a replacement hooker in each of Australia's subsequent Test victories on tour. In early 1995 Langer led the way in the Broncos' Super League defection but suffered a setback to his rep career when stood down from State or Test selection by the ARL. He returned to Queensland’s interstate team in 1996 but injury limited his rep opportunities in Super League’s 1997 representative season. After Langer captained Brisbane to win the Telstra Cup he was inexplicably overlooked for Test duty in 1998’s ANZac Test before recording a remarkable trio of victories in the reunified NRL season. Peter Sterling paid Langer the supreme complement of being the ‘only champion playing the game’ in the late 1990s and he showed those qualities in becoming the first player to captain teams to premiership, State of Origin and Test success. The week after captaining the Broncos to a 38-12 thrashing of C’bury the little halfback led Australia to victory in the final two Tests of the Trans Tasman series. Despite Brisbane’s poor start to the 1999 season Langer retained his place for the ANZac Test but not the Test captaincy. Then suddenly, in April, he announced his retirement from the game, citing a lack of enthusiasm to continue playing and a desire not to let his team-mates down. While it was understandable that ‘Alfie’ would find it hard to continue the momentum of his career after conquering every challenge in the rugby league world there was never any chance of him ever letting his team-mates down in what can only be described as an extraordinary career. In January 2000 he received an AM in the Australia Day honours. Langer signed with English club Warrington before making a stunning comeback in the third and deciding State of Origin match in 2001. In one of the game’s best-kept secrets Queensland coach Wayne Bennett recalled Langer from England to lead the Maroons to a series win over NSW. It was the type of send-off the little champion deserved and, after a period of intense media speculation, he returned the Broncos for season 2002. Langer played his part in Queensland’s State of Origin series draw that year and although the Broncos could not return to the grand final the little halfback left the game with his reputation as one of League’s all-time great players intact. Biography; Alf (1997)