Willow | Bluebags
The life and times of Johnny Lang
I like John Lang.
A champion hooker in his day, Lang has seen everything the game has to offer. He's won premierships, represented his home state, his away state, his country and won a bag of awards. He also preceded a family line, coaching son Martin to first grade and representative honours.
On the surface, it looks like John Lang has done it all.
But there are some things that rugby league's elder statesman has been unable to achieve.
Born 7 November 1950, John Lang was raised in Queensland. Don't hold that against him.
In 1969, young Johnny debuted in first grade with Brisbane's Eastern Suburbs Tigers, playing 11 seasons and winning premierships (1972, 1977, 1978). He moved to Sydney in 1980 and linked up with Eastern Suburbs Roosters, playing the grand final that year.
At state level, Lang played for both Queensland and New South Wales. This wasn't unusual pre-1980, but Lang had the rare distinction of playing for both NSW and Queensland in the same series. In 1980, the inaugural year of State of Origin, only one of three games was played under Origin rules. Playing for the Roosters, Lang was considered 'Sydney-based' so he played with NSW in the first clash, starring in NSW's victory. Origin rules were then introduced and Lang returned to Queensland, defeating NSW. In all, Lang played 20 state matches, 19 for Queensland.
At international level, Lang played for Australia between 1973-1980. He joined the 1973 Australian Kangaroo tour to France and was selected again in 1974 against Great Britain. In 1975 he played in the World Cup Australian team, winning the tournament that year. He was selected for a final time for the Kangaroos against New Zealand in 1980.
Lang retired in 1980. Although in the twilight of his playing career and only playing one season in Sydney, he was selected for NSW, Queensland and Australia - finishing at the top of his game.
After a stellar final season as a player, Lang turned his mind to coaching. He returned to Brisbane, coaching his old club Easts Tigers and guiding them to two premierships (1983 and 1991).
By now the reader may be wondering if Lang's run of success would ever end. But as alluded to earlier, there are some challenges that even great men cannot overcome...
In 1994, Lang took up the poison chalice of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. He was well aware that this was hardest nut to crack when it came to premiership success. After eight inconsistent seasons, Lang finally threw in the towel, delivering a few parting shots to his former employers:
"The Sharks have no influence and no money".
"They have spent half their history staving off bankruptcy."
"Some seasons have been a success just to exist."
*Ouch*
In 2002, Lang started coaching the Penrith Panthers. In just two seasons, Penrith went from competition easybeats to minor premiers and premiership champions.
John Lang's place in rugby league history was cemented, his contributions are there for all to see.
Lang stayed with the Panthers until 2006. The writing must have been on the wall, one year after his departure Penrith were delivered the wooden spoon.
In 2008, South Sydney Rabbitohs hired Lang as a football consultant. Old Johnny, now done with coaching, had every reason to relax away from the limelight in semi-retirement. But alas, a loose cannon came in the shape of coach Jason Taylor. After a drunken brawl, Taylor was sacked. The SOS went out to Lang. In 2010, he found himself once again coaching a side struggling to find premiership success.
2011 is Lang's final season as a coach. He announced his retirement months earlier, not long after Souths capitulated to the Dragons in their do-or-die round 26 clash.
It's early days in 2011 but onfield success is again proving difficult for Souths.
With the season just 40 minutes old, Lang looked like a candidate for spontaneous combustion as he exploded in front of the cameras while berating his players. Lang's half-time outburst had all the hallmarks of a bloke who has had enough. Unlike his playing days, he isn't leaving at the top of his game. Sure, we might be able to blame that on Souths - after all, they were a rabble on the field and off the field it turned into a hollywood soapie ages ago. But it's sad that there are grumblings with some wags calling for Lang's sacking.
My advice to Johnny, jump before you're pushed.
| 750 words |
| Ref: Quotes SMH (2002), Stats Encyclopedia RL Players |