Sam Backo

Prop forward, “Slammin’” Sam Backo was a man mountain, and one of the most popular Maroons.

The Ingham local initially played for local side, Lower Herbert, before signing with Woden Valley in Canberra.

He returned to Queensland for a stint with Yeppoon, but once again made Canberra his home, earning a contract with the Raiders for the 1983 NSWRL season.

Backo played in Canberra's 18-8 loss to Manly in the 1987 grand final, with Ipswich's Steve Walters the hooker. Backo debuted for the Maroons in 1988 and proved a sensation.

He was man of the match in Game II and Game III, scoring three tries in the process – two in the final game of series – as he made a mockery of the Blues' defence.

Backo made his Test debut against the touring Great Britain side that year, and went on to play six Tests, as well as making the tour of New Zealand in 1989.

He was like a stick of dynamite...if you could light him up, a massive demolition job would follow.

Wally Lewis FOG#9 on Backo's 1988 season

In the 1988 series, he became the first Australian forward to score a try in each match of an 'Ashes' campaign. Not surprisingly, he was named Dally M Prop of the Year.

After an off-season stint with Leeds in England, Backo joined the Broncos in 1989, but after two seasons was forced to retire from top level football, because of knee problems.

He kept playing, firstly at Logan City and then with Mt Tamborine Bushrats.

Backo and Arthur Beetson were named props in the all-time Queensland Indigenous State of Origin side.