Vale John McMartin

[FLEETY]

Vale John McMartin
Tue 13 Feb 2018, 06:38 PM

The NSW Rugby League sends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Parramatta and Cronulla representative John McMartin who sadly passed away today.
McMartin played with the Eels from 1967 to 1975 before linking with the Sharks in 1976 where he finished his career in 1979. He represented NSW in 1975, also lining up for City Firsts in his final year at Parramatta. He was a life member of New South Wales Rugby League.
The twin brother of Mal, John was a highly-consistent hooker and was an integral member of the Cronulla side which won its way through to the finals series in 1978. He played in the 1978 drawn decider against Manly but was ruled out of the replay through injury.
“We are saddened to hear the news of the passing of a fantastic footballer and an even better man off the field,” NSWRL CEO David Trodden said.
“It’s always a dark day when we lose a member of the NSWRL family. As both a True Blue and Life Member of NSWRL, John made an enormous contribution to our organisation. His contribution to our tertiary competition is a particular legacy which he leaves. On behalf of everyone at the NSWRL I pass on my condolences to John’s family on their loss.”

https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2018/02/13/vale-john-mcmartin/

RIP to a great Shark

 

[Thresher]

RIP.

Shame to lose another great Shark.

 

[deano the p]

RIP

 

[HaroldBishop]

Just missed him but my old man speaks very highly of him as a hooker.

RIP

 

[Sir Chadley]

Back in the day when Hookers were Hookers.

Saw him play many times. When you needed a scrum win, McMartin was the man to do it for you.
For the young guys, back in those days the scrum feed went to the team who's half the play was in. And the ball actually went into the middle of the tunnel and the hooker was allowed to strike for it and they were allowed to push in the scrum.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Back in the day when Hookers were Hookers.

Saw him play many times. When you needed a scrum win, McMartin was the man to do it for you.
For the young guys, back in those days the scrum feed went to the team who's half the play was in. And the ball actually went into the middle of the tunnel and the hooker was allowed to strike for it and they were allowed to push in the scrum.

Back in the days when men were men?

 

[Mr Ryan]

Was before my time, but from I hear from older guys, him missing from the 78 GF replay was a big reason why we never in that match.

A true Sharks Legend.

 

[snowman]

Back in the days when men were men?

and dinosaurs walked around the land

 

[HaroldBishop]

and dinosaurs walked around the land

Nope, Chad's still here.

 

[egg]

https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2018/02/13/vale-john-mcmartin/

RIP to a great Shark

He was one of the VERY best in his Day
RIP Johnny M

 

[Sir Chadley]

Nope, Chad's still here.

I'm probably about the same size.

 

[HaroldBishop]

I'm probably about the same size.

Haha

 

[FLEETY]

Back in the day when Hookers were Hookers.

Saw him play many times. When you needed a scrum win, McMartin was the man to do it for you.
For the young guys, back in those days the scrum feed went to the team who's half the play was in. And the ball actually went into the middle of the tunnel and the hooker was allowed to strike for it and they were allowed to push in the scrum.

Can't speak for pre-1975, but at that time the feed went to the opposing team, as it does now.

Prior to 1983, was also a scrum after sixth tackle, not a handover.

 

[FLEETY]

Was before my time, but from I hear from older guys, him missing from the 78 GF replay was a big reason why we never in that match.

A true Sharks Legend.

We were majorly depleted.

Lost Greg Pierce (lock) and Dane Sorensen (prop) for GF and replay, due to suspension.

Then on top of John, Mick Mullane (fullback), Barry Andrews (5/8) and Gary Stares (prop) were also out injured for replay.

Manly trotted out the same team for both games.

 

[Born&bred]

Was before my time, but from I hear from older guys, him missing from the 78 GF replay was a big reason why we never in that match.

A true Sharks Legend.

We were majorly depleted.

Lost Greg Pierce (lock) and Dane Sorensen (prop) for GF and replay, due to suspension.

Then on top of John, Mick Mullane (fullback), Barry Andrews (5/8) and Gary Stares (prop) were also out injured for replay.

Manly trotted out the same team for both games.

Should never have gone to a replay. We should've got the chocolates in the first final. Hartley robbed us blind.

Apart from biased refereeing in general, we earned an obvious scrum penalty right in front of the posts just before full time. Hartley's comment to Rogers was "you don't want to win it from a scrum penalty do you?"

He didn't award the penalty.

 

[vicsharkfan]

Back in the days when men were men?

And Pepsi had no sugar free options.

 

[squiddy]

The Best player to never play for Australia - he was that good

RIP Mr McMartin

 

[Gards]

Should never have gone to a replay. We should've got the chocolates in the first final. Hartley robbed us blind.

Apart from biased refereeing in general, we earned an obvious scrum penalty right in front of the posts just before full time. Hartley's comment to Rogers was "you don't want to win it from a scrum penalty do you?"

He didn't award the penalty.

Didn't the story go that some players approached Hartley in a pub some point after the game and they asked why he didn't award the penalty and he said something to the accord of "because I could"