Willie Tonga's top five Maroons teammates
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None come more passionate than Willie Tonga.
Tonga, FOG #145, debuted for the Queensland Maroons in 2004 and played seven games total; he is so proud of what the team - and each and every player who gets to wear maroon - represents.
"Growing up in Cherbourg, and learning the game of rugby league in Cherbourg, set the foundation for my rugby league career," Tonga said.
"To be able to wear that Maroons jersey, it was a dream when I was younger. The first time I put it on, that's a memory I'll never forget.
"I think like all Queenslanders growing up playing rugby league, that's the ultimate goal. I'm very fortunate and blessed to have been able to experience that."
Tonga's message to those who do get the opportunity is to "embrace it".
"Just remember what Queensland really represents and think about the people who have gone before us... set that pathway for us," Tonga said.
"Enjoy the moment and really appreciate the opportunity you're given and how much it means to Queensland as a state."
As for who he was able to play alongside, Tonga said there were five who really stood out to him including three of the current coaches in Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith.
Tonga: We'd have to knock on doors just to make up a team
Willie Tonga's top five Maroons teammates
1. Darren Lockyer
"Locky. Just because I grew up with him being my favourite player. My debut was very unexpected. I got a call up because Hodgo - Justin Hodges - got suspended and Brent Tate was ruled out through injury... it all happened unexpectedly. Made my debut at Suncorp Stadium in front of a packed house and playing outside Locky and I scored on debut, so a very memorable moment."
2. Johnathan Thurston
"Johnathan for his competitiveness. I loved how every time he put that Maroons jersey on, he was able to step to another level."
3. Greg Inglis
"Greggy, GI. Greggy is probably one of my favourite players ever, so to be able to play alongside him and get that opportunity, it was special. The way he could turn a game around and what he's done on the field, I don't think many people are able to do that as well. And six-foot-two, 105 kilograms, ran like the wind... stronger than everybody. He could play anywhere from No.1 to No.6 if he wanted to. And probably even play in the forwards if he wanted to. Greggy is just another level in my eyes."
4. Billy Slater
"Billy is the best fullback to ever play the game, in my opinion. We both debuted in the same series, in 2004, and he was my winger. To see him go from winger, and not really looked at when he first came on the scene, to one of the greatest to ever lace the boot, it's a testament to him and how hard he worked as well. I saw first hand after everybody was off the field in the showers, you'd have Billy, Cam Smith, Locky, Johnathan and Cooper Cronk still out there practising. Doing extras."
5. Cameron Smith
"I have to say Cam. Probably, in a lot of people's eyes, the GOAT - greatest of all time. What he achieved, no one is ever going to be able to do that again. Just to see how he led the team around, and how calm he was as well, even when down. If behind on the scoreboard, you'd be in the in-goal and you'd look and Locky was calm, Cam was calm, Billy was calm, JT was a little bit not so calm. But those three, you'd look and go 'how? how is that possible?' His leadership as well. It typifies what Queensland is all about."
