Coming through the Raiders’ junior system, Fensom wasn’t just a player; he was a culture carrier. Alongside the likes of Josh Papalii and Shaun Fensom (no relation, but famously confused), Blake was the defensive glue that allowed Terry Campese and later Josh Hodgson to weave their magic.
He represents the player every coach wants but few appreciate: the one who never misses a wrestle, never jams in off his wing, and never takes a backward step. In a sport now obsessed with X-factors and power stats, Fensom was the ultimate —Consistency.
Blake Fensom’s superpower was simple: work rate. In 2012, he set an NRL record for most tackles in a single game with a staggering 76 tackles against the Canterbury Bulldogs. But that wasn’t a one-off; it was a lifestyle. For four consecutive seasons (2011–2014), Fensom averaged over 40 tackles per game, often making 50+ look routine.
Unfortunately, the human body wasn’t built for Fensom’s pace. A relentless string of calf, knee, and foot injuries began to rob him of his mobility. By 2016, the modern game was shifting toward more agile, ball-playing locks. The Raiders, on the cusp of their 2019 Grand Final run, let him go.
Next time you see a young lock making 50 tackles and taking a hit-up from a standing start, remember Blake Fensom. He didn’t just play the game. He worked it. Suggested Social Media Caption (for Instagram/Twitter): “Blake Fensom once made 76 tackles in a single game. No chip kicks. No highlight reels. Just relentless blue-collar defense. Here’s to the workhorse the NRL forgot. 💚 #NRL #Raiders #BlakeFensom” Would you like this adapted into a video script or a podcast segment outline?
Blake Fensom will never be in the Hall of Fame. He won’t make "Top 100 Players" lists. But in the pantheon of genuine rugby league fans, he is a cult hero.
