John Buttigieg
Player Bio
- Date of Birth:
- 09 January 1977
- Birthplace:
- Townsville, Queensland
- Origin Debut:
- 06 May 2001
- Venue:
- Suncorp Stadium
Career
Achievements
- State of Origin debut - Game I, 2001 at Suncorp Stadium
Career statistics
- Games
- 3
- Points
- 4
- Tries
- 1
Biography
Bustling prop, John Buttigieg packed a lot into his rugby league career, before his untimely retirement at 26.
A product of Townsville Souths Junior Club, Buttigieg attended Pimlico High, and grew up idolising Mal Meninga and Bob Lindner.
Buttigieg represented Queensland Under 17s in 1994, and that same year made the Queensland Opens Schoolboys and was selected for an Australian Merit Squad.
A proud Indigenous man, Buttigieg was a member of the Cowboys Youth Squad in the club's inaugural year, 1995, and the following year made his first grade debut.
A handful to stop with ball in hand, Buttigieg’s power and determination saw him quickly rise to become an automatic Cowboys' starter. In 1999, he played for an Australian Aborigines side against Papua New Guinea, with Arthur Beetson the Australian coach.
It’s a great memory and even today, the passion is always there and the hatred for NSW hasn’t gone anywhere either.
John Buttigieg FOG #119
In 2001, Buttigieg debuted for Queensland, joining the elite club of Maroons to score a try on debut - all the more impressive as a prop.
It was a dream come true for Buttigieg, alongside good mates and Cowboys' teammates Paul Bowman (FOG #115) and John Doyle (FOG #118).
After three Maroons appearances across 2001-02, a chronic knee injury forced Buttigieg into retirement in 2003.
He had played 101 first grade matches for the Cowboys.
Former Origin Greats
Queensland Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.