By Wayne Heming The opening game of this yearâs interstate series against NSW in Adelaide will be very special for Queensland Origin captain Daly Cherry-Evans. The 34-year-old halfback, who is advancing on 300 NRL club games for Manly, will join an elite group of Queensland players who are already recipients of the prestigious FOGS Dick
By Wayne Heming Brisbane Broncos sensation Reece Walsh will make his belated debut for Queensland after claiming the fullback job for the first game of the interstate series against NSW at Adelaide Oval on May 31. Reece was named ahead of Newcastle incumbent Kalyn Ponga who suffered another head knock on the weekend but
By Wayne Heming FOG# 193 Ben Hunt brings up NRL game number 300 at Townsvilleâs Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday hoping to celebrate the rare career milestone by steering the St George-Illawarra Dragons to a much-needed win against North Queensland. Hunt will become just the 47th player in NRL-ARL history to join the 300-game club.
By Wayne Heming Valentine Holmes could join maroon greats Mal Meninga and Johnathan Thurston in Originâs Centurion Club if he scores 14 or more points in the upcoming three-game interstate series. Only two of the 227 players who have pulled on Queensland jumper since Arthur Beetson, FOG#1 in 1980, have scored 100 or more Origin
By Wayne Heming Andrew Geeâs relationship with Wayne Bennett was far more than just a player-coach bond. Gee played every one of his 255 NRL games under Bennett. Itâs fair to say he would have taken a bullet for his coach who in turn trusted him completely whenever he needed a job done. Geeâs loyalty
Queensland has done a great job re-stocking its State of Origin player shelves since the departure of so many stalwarts from its golden era when the state claimed a record eight straight interstate series. Over recent years, Queensland has farewelled some of its finest, many of them, including former captains Cameron Smith (FOG#140, 42 games)
Two Former Origin Greats (FOGS) who played with heart and passion have endorsed fiery Canberra redhead Corey Horsburgh as a future Queensland player -- possibly even as early as this yearâs interstate series. Chris âChoppyâ Close, Maroon FOG #5 and Justin Hodges, Maroon FOG #130 are both fans of the bustling Caboolture 24-year-old who has
Young Rooster halfback Sam Walker continues to impress with his progress this season after being drafted into coach Billy Slaterâs Queensland Origin squad as a reserve for last yearâs seriesâ winning decider. Walker keeps ticking boxes in the NRL that have him earmarked as a future Queensland Origin player. Barring injury or suspension, Manly hero,
MAROONS mentor Billy Slater believes the birth of the Dolphins can strengthen Queenslandâs Origin program, and has backed Wayne Bennett to bring success in the expansion clubâs embryonic years. The Dolphins will enter the big league in 2023 as Queenslandâs fourth club, and part of the NRLâs expansion push was a deliberate strategy to ensure
REECE Walsh has set his sights on a maiden Queensland Origin jumper next season as Brisbaneâs marquee recruit looks to light up the Broncosâ backline in 2023. After an 18-month stint at the Warriors, Walsh has come back home to Red Hill and all eyes will be on the classy 20-year-old being hailed as the
