In my 40 years worth Sanderson sticks out for me. Wasn't he an ex Marine?
Hard as nails (not in a nasty way), and safe as houses.

Dessie Drummond tackling technique second to non ask Phil vievers or kurt sorenson
Or Duanne Mann excellent in every area of his game

He's not the best defender, he misses lots of tackles but Ben Harrison is fun to watch in defence, now & again he catches people with an absolute monster shot.

Similar to LAnderson who is also similar to Guisset

Tommy martyn ( the original not the stains player ) who would grab the player with one hand by the collar then trip him with the legs - went down like a sack of

The best Non Wire i'll go Shaun Edwards

Langer and his cumberland throw was pretty awesome.

Yep, back in the day you'd partner a tackling second rower with a runner.

It was always Sanderson and perm any one from Roberts/McGinty/Duane/Richards/Cullen/Gregory/Mercer et al

A defensive machine

Jon Clarke - for all his faults is actually decent at D. His tackle count used to be so high because he would be 2nd or 3rd man in. Maybe not the most 'hollywood' of styles, but when your playing, you're thankful for the help!

Tommy Conroy for me. He was a first class defensive full back but as the mind set in those days (1960s) was that your full back had to kick goals, he could never make the No 1 slot his own.

best defender-sanderson
biggest hitter- les davidson

I agree with Side Burns, Mark Gleesons technique of 'bend to a right angle and hope you dont get crushed' always made me laugh. Never really missed many either.

Alan Bateman for technique.

Adrian Morley for big-hit-using-shoulder smashability.

Now: Ben Westwood

Then: Gary Sanderson.

My Top 5 - Gary Sanderson, Paul Darbyshire, Ben Westwood, Mick Monaghan, Paul Cullen.