Queensland Indigenous Greats Named

SPECIAL guests at Origin III will include members of an honorary Queensland Indigenous Greats team, reflecting a century of contribution to rugby league from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.

The team includes such luminaries as inaugural State of Origin captain Arthur Beetson and Lionel Morgan, the first indigenous Test player.

Jerseys for each member of the team will be presented by Premier Peter Beattie and Federal Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey.

The team is an extension of the FOGS (Former Origin Greats) 50 Jobs Drive, which aims to provide 50 job positions, throughout Queensland, specifically for Indigenous Australians over the next 12 months.

The selection panel for the team consisted of Mal Meninga, Kevin Brasch, Arthur Beetson, Lionel Morgan and Neil Appo.

Prior to the announcement of the team an indigenous dance group will perform on the hallowed Lang Park turf.


QUEENSLAND INDIGENOUS GREATS

BACKO, Sam – Tough as nails prop who played for Queensland between 1988-90 and also represented Australia in six Tests. In 1988 Backo was the Dally M front rower of the year.

BEETSON, Arthur – A true rugby league legend and officially recognised as an Immortal, he was the inaugural QLD captain in 1980 and captain coach in 1981. Big Artie represented Australia on 28 occasions.

BUTLER, Terry – A halfback and winger who played for Queensland in 1983. The speedster also represented Queensland on the 1983 Residents tour.

BUTTIGIEG, John – A front rower for the North Queensland Cowboys for close on a decade, Buttigieg represented the Maroons during the 2001 and 2002 seasons. In 2000 he was also selected as a member of the Australian Indigenous side.

COOK, Robert – Cook played and coached throughout Queensland from 1952 to 1965, representing Queensland from ’59 to ’62. In 2000 he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal.

CROUCH, Glen – Better known as ‘Paddy’, Crouch lived from 1904-87. In 1924 he was selected by Queensland to tour New Zealand. He was the first Aboriginal footballer from any code to tour abroad. Paddy is a life member of the Queensland Rugby League and in 1996 was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Indigenous Sports People. (Paddy represented at jersey presentation by son Glen Jnr).

CURRIE, Tony – A versatile talent who played centre, fullback and wing. Represented Queensland on 15 occasions, including 13 Origins, and also played seven Tests for Australia. In 1989 was the Dally M centre of the year.

DOYLE, John – Played with the North Queensland Cowboys from 1996-2002 and then with the Sydney Roosters. Doyle represented Queensland in 2001 and 2002 and was a member of the Aboriginal Test team in 1999.

KILROY, Joe – Kilroy was a member of the Brisbane Broncos in their inaugural season of 1988 and also represented Queensland that same year. In 1980, the same year Origin was launched, Kilroy was named QRL Colt of the Year.

LENA, Graham – Lena represented Queensland in 1971 and in that same year was awarded The Courier Mail Best and Fairest award.

MORGAN, Lionel – Played first grade from 1955 to 1965. Lionel broke ground as the first Australian international of indigenous heritage and was a regular in Queensland teams from ’59 to ’63. In 1962 he was named the best back in Queensland.

PEACOCK, Danny – A member of the Australian and Queensland Under 19 teams in 1987, Peacock also toured Papua New Guinea with Queensland in 1995. That same year he was the Gold Coast Seagulls Player of the Year.

RENOUF, Steve – Known as ‘The Pearl’, Renouf played 12 seasons with the Brisbane Broncos and was a major factor behind the club’s early success. Renouf played 11 games for Queensland and nine Tests for Australia.

SANDY, Jamie – Represented Queensland in a non-Origin match in 1987. That same year he toured New Zealand. In 1983 he was the Brisbane Rugby League Dally M fullback of the year and in 1988 received the Australia Day Medal for Sports.

SCOTT, Colin – A fullback who played 18 games for Queensland between 1980 and 1987. In 1992 he coached the Queensland Aboriginal team.

SHEARER, Dale – ‘Rowdy’ played 26 matches for Queensland and 20 Tests for Australia. Won a grand final with Manly in 1987 and has been a previous winner of the Indigenous Sports Star of the Year award.

THINEE, Ian – Played an incredible 20 years of senior football. He represented Queensland in 1975. In 1971 was the footballer of the year in Brisbane.

If you are interested in being part of the FOGS 50 Jobs Drive then please phone Rochelle Meiklejohn at FOGS on 3331 5065 or email rocky@fogs.com.au to discuss how you may be able to provide an opportunity for an Indigenous person in Queensland.