The Maroons are blessed to have their continuing tradition of Indigenous and Islander stars bringing their special magic to Origin.
For three decades, they have been the driving force behind Queensland’s finest State of Origin conquests, bamboozling the Blues with their free-spirited style and instinctive brilliance.
Their magic cannot be taught. Their skill is innate. Their passion stems from the pride in their people.
As the Maroons revel in their most dominant period of Origin football, it is hard to miss the enormous contribution of Indigenous Australia to Queensland’s interstate glories.
Of the 169 players to have represented the Maroons since the birth of Origin in 1980, counting Matt Ballin and Dave Taylor, who made their debuts in Game 1 this year, around one-third possess Indigenous ties.
Queensland’s first Origin skipper, Arthur Beetson, is a proud Aboriginal. State of Origin’s leading tryscorer is Dale Shearer.
The Maroons’ greatest centre, Mal Meninga, is a South-Sea Islander.
The likes of Steve Renouf, Colin Scott, Wendell Sailor, Gorden Tallis, Tony Currie, Carl Webb and Sam Backo are inextricably linked with Queensland’s greatest Origin memories of the 1980s and ’90s.
And the tradition lives on.
Four Queenslanders who played in the 2010 series opener are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander extraction – Greg Inglis, Willie Tonga, Johnathan Thurston and Sam Thaiday.
A fifth, Justin Hodges, would have been there but for injury.
Meninga, the iconic coach who has expertly blended the cultural ingredients to deliver a potent football machine, remains at the helm.
The prevalence of Indigenous talent is remarkable when you consider this: just 2.5 per cent of Australia’s 22.3 million population have Indigenous heritage.
Yet 30 per cent represent Queensland’s State of Origin family.
It is that ratio that best explains why the Former Origin Greats organisation has decided to give back, utilising government grants to provide sporting scholarships for Aboriginal youth and holding employment expos offering career advice to Indigenous schoolkids in remote communities.
Proud FOGS legend Currie, who played 15 Origin matches between 1982-89 and seven Tests for Australia, says he isn’t surprised by the role of Indigenous players in Queensland’s rich rugby league tapestry.
“I think by nature, we play like free spirits and you can see that in the way Queensland traditionally plays in the Origin arena,” says Currie, who now hosts the Barefoot Rugby League program on Pay TV, which spotlights Aboriginal talent in the NRL.
“Our people have always been drawn to rugby league. The game is quick, open and our natural athleticism is suited to its requirements.
“It’s just a joy to watch this current Queensland team. Seeing guys like Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston playing with so much adventure gives young Aboriginal kids out there role models and something they can aspire to.”
Already FOGS has reached out to disadvantaged Indigenous Queenslanders.
Last year, it held six career and employment expos, with the likes of Beetson and Sailor called upon to speak to Aboriginal youth about the importance of education and getting a career.
And the current Origin stars are lending a hand.
After turning down a French rugby contract in May to remain in rugby league, Thurston has agreed to become an NRL ambassador for Aboriginal welfare.
As part of his deal with eyecare company OPSM, the Maroons halfback will visit Indigenous communities urging his people to have regular eye-checks.
Thurston was shocked to learn Aboriginal people are 10 times more likely to go blind than the rest of the Australian population.
“I’ll be talking to Indigenous communities about the importance of their eyesight and getting their eyes tested on a regular basis,” he said.
“Helping my people is something I’m pretty passionate about. I wouldn’t have been able to help out if I had moved to France.”
Meninga said FOGS’ education projects would only strengthen the bond between Queensland rugby league and the Indigenous fraternity.
“There’s a genuineness there. There’s a desire to help society,” he says.
“We were really successful in our generation as footballers, and the FOGS is a genuine organisation that wants to put back into grassroots and deliver some really good outcomes for kids with employment and educational opportunities.
“That’s the spirit that has prevailed. The FOGS want Queenslanders to have a sense of belonging.”