Welcome to Queensland, where we punch sharks, play football with broken arms and in bike v car, if we're riding, the bike wins. After Mick Fanning's brush with death, we asked the question: Who is Queensland's toughest athlete?
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1. Mick Fanning
Yes, it's still fresh but punching a shark is tough. Mick Fanning was floating on the water, waiting for the next wave and is suddenly set upon by a shark. So, he did the only thing any Queenslander would do, or at least what they would tell everyone at the pub they did.
2. Jonathan Brown
His bike had a collision with a car and the car came off second best. A series of head injuries ended the footy career of Queensland's least-frilled footballer. "Browny" has become synonymous with courageous acts in sport, since his freakish 2002 mark against Hawthorn. Brown held this title by a landslide until this morning.
3. Brent Tate
If Browny is AFL's gladiator, then Brent Tate is his closest equivalent in rugby league. Tate rebounded from injury after injury over his 14-year NRL career. A serious neck injury in 2003 required him to wear a special neck brace for the rest of his career. A third knee reconstruction forced him into retirement in 2014 but he was one of the most resilient players in any sport, over three NRL clubs.
4. Chris Lynn
Lynnsanity has currently travelled over to the Carribean but Chris Lynn earned the sympathy of many when he copped a hit to the groin in a Bulls match. He batted on through the innings, hitting 39 off 28 deliveries before ultimately being caught by Blues wicketkeeper Peter Nevill. He was taken to hospital in the break. You know he's hardy because it didn't take long for him to start cracking jokes on Twitter about his mishap.
Any danger Mater hospital? #soreeggs #agony #greenstick— Chris Lynn (@lynny50)
November 21, 2012
Would it be acceptable to drive to the coast with my pants down and a icepack on the nurries?— Chris Lynn (@lynny50)
November 23, 2012
5. Anna Meares
In 2008, Blackwater-born Meares broke a C2 vertebra, dislocated her shoulder and copped severe bruising and ligament damage after crashing her bike at 65km/h. She was riding just 10 days later. She ultimately finished with a silver medal in those Games. She has since added a second gold and bronze medal to her collection, winning the sprint, as well as two more world championship titles.
6. Laura Geitz
The Australian captain nearly quit netball two years ago after the shock death of her father Ross in a farming accident. Rather than giving it away, though, Geitz returned to the sport and has become one of the most successful captains in the ANZ Championship and led the Diamonds to a Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow last year.
7. Shane Webcke
One of the most enduring images from the Brisbane Broncos' 2000 premiership win is that of Shane Webcke crashing into Roosters players donning a massive tan arm guard . Against doctor's orders, Webcke played with a broken arm in the 14-6 win.
8. David Croft
A hard-working openside flanker, David Croft was one of the Reds' toughest servants. Playing 94 consecutive Super Rugby matches, collecting 736 stitches over his career, he only managed five Tests, in the pecking order behind George Smith and Phil Waugh, but his endurance was admired by many.
9. Allan Border
Captain Grumpy was one of the grittiest cricketers and he thrived under pressure. On tour when Tests or one-day matches were up for grabs, Border was the one who would dig in. His 196 at Lords in 1985 dragged Australia to a win, keeping their unbeaten run at that venue intact.
10. Nigel Lappin
He's one of the best midfielders never to win a Brownlow and he also completed one of the toughest feats, playing with broken ribs in the 2003 grand final. He wore a rib guard in the match but played through immense pain to help win the Lions' hat-trick.
