Official Magazine of Queensland’s Former Origin Greats
EDITION 31 | SUMMER 2019 FORMER ORIGIN GREATS CONTENTS
A Message From is proudly sponsored by The Executive Chairman 3
Bartons Help Give The ARTIE Academy The Drive To Succeed 4
Cooper-Doodle-Doo! 5
Finally, Our Queensland Girls Get Their Time In The Sun 6
Cam Storms To Immortality 8
formally known as AEG Ogden FOGS Stay Close To The Heart Of Every Footballer In Queensland 11
Maroon Spirit Proves Too Hard For QLD Government To Ignore 12
From The Coach’s Desk With Kevin Walters 14
FOGS Origin Lunch Delivers For The Common Good 16
Daly Cherry-Evans 18
Queensland’s Future Is Now As Rookies Answer The Call 20
Holmes Is Where The Heart Is And It’s Great News For Maroons 21
Shaune Celebrates Half A Million Smiles On Queensland Faces 22
Queenslander Magazine, the official magazine of the Goodbye To The Greats Of A Golden Era 24 Former Origin Greats, is proudly printed by: Inspirational Artie Students Pay It Forward Through Prosocial Incentive Program 27
All For Fun, And Fun For All 28
RACQ And FOGS On The Road Again 30
T 07 3356 0788 E [email protected] Where Are They Now FOG #147 Ty Williams 32 A Unit7/36 Windorah St, Stafford QLD 4053 Tackle One www.crystalmedia.com.au With Trevor Gillmeister 35
CONTACT US
FOGS LTD FAX FACEBOOK Locked Bag 3, Milton, QLD 4064 (07) 3367 8148 www.facebook.com/FOGSQueensland PHONE EMAIL INSTAGRAM (07) 3367 1432 [email protected] @qld_fogs
2 | www.fogs.com.au A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
f rugby league has taught us anything, it is that the hard yards must be done before the rewards can be enjoyed. This is a Ilesson that has resonated with the Former Origin Greats and the Maroons in 2019. While the results on the field were not Similarly, the Former Origin Greats this The State Government haven’t given us what Queenslanders were hoping for this year are celebrating two significant the funding because they’re footy fans. year, with the Blues taking home the Origin victories with the 10th anniversary They have backed us because they can shield again, there is no doubt the Maroons of the ARTIE Academy program, and see the hard work that has gone into will emerge stronger for the experience the terrific news that ARTIE is now the program over the past 10 years, and after some tough times in recent years. being backed by the Queensland the results that are being delivered. Government for the next three years. As glorious as that previous Maroons era That new level of support has led to was, the retirement of four of its greatest As Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said at new levels of responsibility, both to the servants this year highlights the fact that the announcement, the FOGS have students we assist, and in our reporting it has now been consigned to another been knocking on the door of the State and acquittals of our government funding. chapter in Queensland’s Origin history. Government for a long time now. I am pleased to welcome Troy Greg Inglis, Matt Scott, Matt Gillett The ARTIE Academy has been backed Collins and Marty Rowan as new and Cooper Cronk all walked away by the Federal Government since Directors on the FOGS Board. from the game after being part of the beginning, and we have been that incredible core of players that able to build and grow the ARTIE We are looking to make some additional carried Queensland through that Academy because of that support. appointees in the future, creating a unprecedented decade of dominance. Board of Directors that will better Now with the Queensland Government reflect modern rugby league, and the I am sure all FOGS, and all Queenslanders supporting the program as well, we work being done by the FOGS within for that matter, will join me in are able to expand into another 20 the game and the wider community. congratulating these men on wonderful schools throughout Queensland, careers, and their outstanding which is a great result. Like the Maroons, for the Former service to the Maroon jersey. Origin Greats, a new era has begun. Wishing you and your family all the best for a safe and happy Christmas and New Year,
ExecutiveGene Miles Chariman
www.fogs.com.au | 3 BARTONS HELP GIVE THE ARTIE ACADEMY THE DRIVE TO SUCCEED
n rugby league, we pass the ball backwards, but we pay our favours forward. Recently, the Former Origin Greats were able to Iuse the success in one part of the organisation to benefit one of our key sponsor partners, as a way of saying “thank-you for the support”, but also as a direct example of the benefits that come from being a corporate partner of the FOGS. The incredible success and rapid “We approached Bartons around our the acquisition of the five new vehicles growth of the ARTIE Academy Program, need for five new cars for the ARTIE will help the ARTIE Academy achieve which is now backed by both the Academy, and they looked after us very better results for future growth. Australian Federal Government and well as they always do,” Gene said. the Queensland State Government, has “With more cars, we are able to be much seen the ARTIE Academy expand into a “Since they have come on board as more efficient in our delivery of the further 20 schools across Queensland. partners of the FOGS, our partnership programs, ensuring less time is being and relationship with Mark and the lost in travel, and more time is being To properly service those schools, and team at Bartons has been outstanding. devoted to these students and their to ensure the standards and success It is easy to see why their dealership has education,” Gene said. “Less time in cars, of the program were maintained, had so much success and expanded so and more time inside the school gates. our ARTIE Academy Coordinators rapidly in the past couple of years. needed access to more vehicles to “This is a perfect example of the FOGS cover the miles they were travelling “Because of the results that our students sponsor family at work – helping each delivering this life-changing initiative. and staff have been achieving in the other to create success stories for both program, the ARTIE Academy has now parties, and create more opportunities So when the FOGS decided to upgrade expanded, and has a giant geographical and better lives for Queenslanders.” by buying a fleet of five new vehicles for footprint across Queensland. the ARTIE Academy Coordinators, they did not have to waste time shopping “We can’t have coordinators trying around for the best prices – they to service two separate schools in went straight to corporate partners, the one car, there is just too much Bartons Motor Group at Wynnum. valuable time going to waste.
Bartons joined the FOGS family of
THE CARS WILL ENABLE sponsors last year after being long- “ “OUR COORDINATORS TO MAKE “ time supporters of rugby league in SURE THEY ARE AT SCHOOLS Queensland, particularly of the Wynnum AT 9AM Manly Seagulls in the Intrust Super Cup. Bartons Managing Director Mark “It is important for the company to Beitz is a passionate league man and ensure that the standards we demand Queenslander through and through, from the ARTIE Academy are being and FOGS Executive Chairman Gene maintained by allowing us to service Miles said it was a heartwarming feeling these schools when we need to.” to have a sponsor so ready to make a contribution above and beyond to the The success of the ARTIE Academy organisation and the game at large. was directly responsible for the need for the new cars. Now in turn,
4 | Pictures: News Courtesy Queensland
COOPER-DOODLE-DOO! Why Cronk will be the gift that keeps on giving for the Roosters
e delivered them two premierships in two years, but Queensland coach Kevin Walters says Cooper Cronk’s greatest Hcontribution to the Sydney Roosters may not be felt for another decade. Cronk enjoyed the ultimate fairytale both parties – the player leaving a “The influence that he has had on farewell to rugby league, steering the successful system at the Storm where the young players at that club is Roosters to back-to-back premierships he was part of the furniture, and for the something that will continue to serve with their 14-8 win over the Canberra Roosters punting on a player with only the Roosters for many years to come. Raiders in the 2019 NRL Grand two years left in his playing career. Final at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. “The young guys in their system While the premierships prove the move that have been around him, The Roosters created a slice of history and was a success, Walters says the legacy been able to learn from him, buried one of the game’s longest-standing Cronk will leave behind for the Roosters’ learning how much work goes hoodoos, becoming the first team since the young players – like Luke Keary and into being so professional Broncos of 1992-1993 to win consecutive young Queenslander Sam Walker, who – they are lessons that will premierships in a united competition. joins the club in 2020 – will make the make all of those kids decision to sign Cronk one of the best better players, and But Cronk was rewriting record investments ever seen in rugby league the Roosters will books on his own. for delivering long-term dividends. get the benefit of that.” In his final game, Cronk walked away “He had had success for a long time with his third-straight premiership at Melbourne, but he took the hard – having won the 2017 decider with road moving to Sydney because Melbourne before joining the Roosters it was important to him – and he for their two success titles. came up trumps,” Walters said.
Cronk also became the first player since
Ron Coote in 1975 to play in nine grand IT IS A CREDIT TO HIM “ finals, winning six. Only Norm Provan and “AND THE PEOPLE AROUND HIM “ Brian Clay, with 10 each, played in more. FOR THE WAY HE FINISHED FOG No.168 finished his career with the HIS CAREER incredible haul of 375 NRL games with the Storm and Roosters, 22 games for “It was the type of career that not many in the Maroons between 2010 and 2017 rugby league get to experience, but one – including the FOGS Tosser Turner that Cooper most certainly deserves. Medal, 38 Tests for Australia, two Dally “The Roosters need to be congratulated M Medals, and the 2016 Golden Boot as well. They took a massive chance as the best player in the world. bringing Cooper in, and they copped Cronk was at his influential best again for a lot of backlash for it when they the Roosters in the 2019 decider, steering moved Mitchell Pearce on. his team around the park as the highly- “But they have been more than fancied Roosters held off sentimental justified now, not just because there favourites the Raiders, who had Maroons are two premierships in the trophy giant Josh Papalii in the front row. cabinet, but because Cooper leaves Walters says Cronk’s move to Bondi the Roosters in a much better place at the end of 2017 was a gamble for than where it was when he arrived. www.fogs.com.au | 5 Pictures: News Courtesy Queensland
FINALLY, OUR QUEENSLAND GIRLS GET THEIR TIME IN THE SUN
ormer Origin Greats Executive Chairman Gene Miles has revealed that plans are underway for Queensland’s Women State Fof Origin players to be officially honoured and recognised with selection numbers and an honour board like their male counterparts. After a long history of interstate matches, the games Now, our ladies in Maroon are set to be between the Queensland and NSW Women’s teams have honoured in the same way, with the FOGS now been granted full Origin status. working with the greatest Queensland Women’s player of them all, Karyn That, along with the popularity of the Jillaroos Murphy, to acknowledge at international level, the advent of the all who have served Women’s NRL Premiership, and booming the Maroon jersey. participation numbers among females across all levels have been wonderful developments for the rugby league world. With the Queensland Women’s team becoming a fully-fledged Origin side, the time is right to honour the history of the women’s game, and in particular the contribution of the women who helped build the game to get it to this new, exciting era. At the heart of FOGS HQ at Milton is the Queensland State of Origin Honour Board, outlining every player to have worn the Maroon jersey into Origin battle – from FOG No.1 Arthur Beetson, all the way through to our latest member, FOG No.203 Ethan Lowe.
6 | www.fogs.com.au “That work is currently underway,” Gene “For too long the achievements of The FOGS remain active supporters said. “We have been in discussions the Queensland Women’s team of the Queensland Women’s team, with Karyn Murphy to recognise the has sailed under the radar, or who are coached by FOG No.106 contribution of all the women who not been celebrated enough. Jason Hetherington, with FOG No.51 have represented Queensland in Trevor Gillmeister as his assistant. rugby league over so many years. “We know how special it was when the men’s team won eight series in a “We are very proud to lend our “It is obviously a fairly sizeable task, and row. Well, between 1999 and 2014, the support to the Queensland Women’s one that needs to be done properly Queensland Women’s team beat NSW 16 team, and our assistance whenever and with the respect it deserves. years in a row. That is just incredible. it is required,” Gene said. “We want to ensure all of the women “They are officially Maroons now, so THERE IS A VERY RICH who have represented Queensland the girls come under the umbrella and
“HISTORY OF WOMEN’S RUGBY over the years are recognised for their responsibility of the Queensland Rugby
LEAGUE IN QUEENSLAND, AND IT IS contribution to rugby league in our League, just like the men’s team – which
TERRIFIC TO SEE THE WOMEN’S GAME state, and their outstanding service to is incredibly satisfying for the girls “ NOW GETTING THE EXPOSURE AND “ the people of Queensland, by having who have worked so hard to wear that THE TOP-LEVEL COMPETITION THAT their names and selection numbers jersey, and exciting for the game itself. IT HAS BEEN CRAVING acknowledged, just like the blokes.” “We are still heavily involved with them, and very proud that two FOGS in Jason and Gilly are contributing to the development of the women’s game as coaches for the Queensland girls. “However we can assist, through the provision of expertise or facilities, hotels, food, all the little things that have to be done to make sure a team is prepared to play – we are always available to them. “They are Queenslanders, part of our family as Maroons and part of the FOGS family as well. I know our Founding Chairman Dick “Tosser” Turner would be so proud to see these girls out there living up to the Queensland spirit and adding to the history and legacy of that famous Maroon jersey we all love so much.”
www.fogs.com.au | 7 CAM STORMS TO IMMORTALITY
ugby league Immortality awaits for Cameron Smith – but it will have to wait just that little bit longer, with the record- Rbreaking former Queensland captain to play on again with the Melbourne Storm in 2020. There is no doubt that Smith will join fellow “I would be thinking the same thing if Queenslanders Arthur Beetson, Wally I was in his shoes,” Meninga said. Lewis and Mal Meninga in rugby league’s most exclusive club – the Immortals “It’s Australian tall poppy syndrome. – once his playing days are over. We build them up, and because he has been up there for so long and But after speculation Smith was set to been so successful, someone feels walk away from the game, particularly it’s their job to bring them down. as criticism from south of the border began taking on a sinister, personal “I think it’s stupid. Very un-Australian.” tone at the back end of the year, it now But Queensland coach Kevin Walters appears certain that FOG No.140 will run said he expects Smith to bounce back out for his 19th season with the Storm. to his best again for the Storm in 2020 Over perhaps the greatest career after a summer break to clear his head. of them all, there is not much “Cameron over the last couple of months that Smith has not achieved. in the season, you could see it in his face Smith is a FOGS Statesman Medal and – his disappointment at a lot of things FOGS Tosser Turner Medal recipient, that were going on around him in rugby four-time Wally Lewis Medallist, four- league that had very little to do with what time Ron McAuliffe Medallist, two-time happens on the footy field,” Walters said. Golden Boot winner, two-time Dally “But Cameron still has a way to go M Medal winner, eight-time Dally M before he plays his final game of rugby Hooker of the Year, five-time Dally M league, but there is no doubt at all Captain of the Year, and four-time Dally that he will be remembered as one
M Representative Player of the Year. of the all-time greats of the game.
He has played in seven NRL grand “ finals, winning five. He has played HE IS THE ALL-ROUND “ more State of Origin games than “PERFECT SPECIMEN FOR A NO.9 anyone – with 42 appearances for the IN RUGBY LEAGUE Maroons, 17 of those as captain. He has more Origin wins than anyone “It is a credit to him and his family for the with 27, more series wins than way he has gone about his career.” anyone with 11, and the second-most Origin Man of the Match awards with seven – one behind Wally Lewis. He played 56 Tests for Australia, 33 as captain, and was skipper of the Kangaroos’ World Cup wins in 2013 and 2017. But in 2019, he became a rugby league pioneer – the first man to plant a footstep on the previously untouched surface of 400 NRL games. Smith was rightly lauded by the game for his incredible achievement, with a special celebration to mark the milestone game against the Sharks at AAMI Park in Melbourne. But some ugly negativity around the celebrations threatened to sour the season for Smith, who was contemplating walking away from the game as a result. Meninga, who appreciates better than most Smith’s position of being criticised despite being one of the game’s best ambassadors, said he could understand if Smith gave football away completely because of the backlash.
8 | Pictures: Courtesy News Queensland www.fogs.com.au www.fogs.com.au | 9 IN-APP GRAB PAYMENTS the NEW FIXED PRICE FARES
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