Maroon Legend Grows After Another Remarkable Year
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Offi cial Magazine of Queensland’s Former Origin Greats EDITION 29 | SUMMER 2017 GUTS AND GLORY Maroon legend grows after another remarkable year Picture: Courtesy News Queensland MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS FOUNDING CHAIRMAN RSA Turner EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN Gene Miles DEPUTY CHAIRMEN Rod Morris John Ribot-de-Bresac DIRECTORS Wally Lewis, Gavin Allen, Chris Close, Andrew Gee, Trevor Gillmeister, Mal Meninga, Greg Oliphant, Don Jackson, Shane Webcke CONTACT US FOGS LTD Locked Bag 3, Milton, QLD 4064 PHONE (07) 3367 1432 FAX (07) 3367 8148 EMAIL [email protected] TWITTER www.twitter.com/QLD_FOGS FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/FOGSQueensland WEBSITE www.fogs.com.au Queenslander Magazine, the offi cial magazine of the Former Origin Greats, is proudly printed by: SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISING PHONE (07) 3367 1432 T 07 3356 0788 E [email protected] EMAIL A Unit 7/36 Windorah St, Staff ord QLD 4053 [email protected] www.crystalmedia.com.au 2 | www.fogs.com.au A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN This edition of Queenslander Magazine acts as a bookmark for the Former Origin Greats, marking 2017 as the year a massive stake was put into the ground to build a future around. THE successful completion of, and the most famous and desirable precincts Origin, as Kevin Walters and his players relocation to, our new headquarters on in the state, just metres away from conjured another miracle with one of the Castlemaine Street is without doubt one Queensland’s most hallowed piece of turf, most inspired fi ghtbacks we have ever of the biggest accomplishments in our Suncorp Stadium. seen to win the series. organisation’s history. While the new building begins an exciting There was plenty against the Maroons It is also an achievement that fulfi lls next chapter for FOGS, we have been very this year: a massive injury list, a transition the vision that our founder Dick “Tosser” fortunate to have called Suncorp Stadium period that saw some long-serving players Turner saw for the FOGS so many years our home for the past decade or more. make way for a new generation, and that ago. Through Harvey Lister, AEG Ogden and awful drubbing in Origin I at Suncorp Tosser always had grand plans for the of course Alan Graham, Suncorp Stadium Stadium. FOGS. has always been very supportive of us, and But Queenslanders produce their best While the chance to keep the bonds tremendous landlords. under adversity, and especially when other linking every FOG and pay respect to the I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to people tell them something is impossible. past were important, the idea of using Harvey, Alan and everyone at AEG Ogden Kevvie and his Maroons not only came those traditions to build a better future and Suncorp Stadium for their amazing out the other side victorious, but just as was imperative. support over the years. incredibly, stronger than Queensland has Having our own base and our own Because of their support, we have been ever been. source of income to do that work was the able to implement our various and very It was a lesson in how hard work and foundation stone of Tosser’s dream, and successful programs, which continued to resilience are the building blocks of a our new building has made that a reality. grow and prosper in 2017. successful future. We have been operating out of the new As you will read inside the magazine, It is a template the FOGS will follow as building since September, but will have the diff erence that is being made to the we begin our new era in 2018. an offi cial opening early in the new year lives of young Queenslanders through our My many thanks to all FOGS members, to celebrate this major milestone for the ARTIE Academy continues to inspire. our staff , sponsors and supporters. organisation. Similarly, being able to support very We hope you have an enjoyable Christmas Aside from giving us a place to call home, worthwhile causes and charities through and New Year, and join us again in 2018 the new building will also provide ongoing our donations and major fundraising for what will be another great year to be a revenue streams for the organisation to events like the FOGS Annual Charity Lunch Queenslander. help make FOGS fi nancially self-suffi cient. is something to be proud of. We have two-and-a-half fl oors of offi ce There was also a change of era on the GenǪ ɄǯǰeȤ space now available to lease in one of fi eld this year with Queensland in State of EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN FOGS wish all our members, staff, sponsors and supporters all the very best for a wonderful Christmas and exciting New Year! www.fogs.com.au | 3 FROM THE COACH’S DESK WITH KEVIN WALTERS UEENSLAND’S It was certainly a lot tougher faces to rebuild around the State of Origin than last year’s series. “That emotion nucleus of the squad. success has always Game I was tough, seeing Those fresh faces stood up been built on as we were beaten so has always been to be counted, and kept the emotion. convincingly, which hadn’t series alive for us in Game II in Right from happened in my previous three Sydney. the moment the games as coach. what sets Origin This year, we had eight Qgreat Arthur Beetson trundled Immediately after that game, apart, and what players make their Origin down the tunnel in 1980, that we knew that we were going debuts for Queensland: emotion has always been what to have to make some tough Anthony Milford, Dylan Napa, sets Origin apart, and what decisions around the selection makes the special Valentine Holmes, Jarrod makes the special moments of the team for Game II. Wallace, Coen Hess, Tim just so special. While it was a real joy to be moments just Glasby, Cameron Munster and This year’s series win took able to ring Billy Slater to tell Ben Hunt, so the process of us through just about every him that he was back in the so special.” regenerating our team for the emotion you can think of, from side, there were also the tough future is well and truly under the devastation of the loss in calls to make to the guys that way. Game I to the joy and relief of had missed out. For me, the highlight of the Game III, the sadness at saying These guys were serious entire series was Johnathan farewell to some loyal servants Origin players – guys like Sam Thurston kicking that goal to the excitement and pride Thaiday, Jacob Lillyman, Nate in Game II to get us into the of handing so many talented Myles, Aidan Guerra – guys decider. young players their fi rst who had given so much to We got so much momentum Maroon jerseys. Queensland for so long. off the back of that kick to get It was a very exciting series That also includes a guy us into a decider and put us in for me. like Corey Oates, who I felt a position to win the series. I just love the challenge didn’t do a hell of a lot wrong I have said this to John so of what Origin brings from a in Game I, but I had to ring many times, but I just can’t coaching point of view, and I him and explain why we had thank him enough for what have to say all of my coaching gone in a diff erent direction for he did for the team and our staff should be commended Game II. state in Game II. for the terrifi c job they did this We had to make those tough It was above and beyond. year, as well as the players. calls and bring in some fresh It was a little sad that injury 2017 QLD DEBUTANTS ANTHONY JARROD MILFORD WALLACE FOG #186 FOG #189 DYLAN NAPA FOG #187 VALENTINE HOLMES FOG #188 4 | www.fogs.com.au prevented John from playing in go back out there was just It was a really special feeling me to do that by coaching with Game III, and getting a proper incredible. watching him land that goal, in them every day, so I can keep send-off at Suncorp Stadium. There was no way anyone his fi nal act as a Queensland learning and improving to help But in a way, it was so fi tting could have stopped him from player. Queensland. and representative of his whole going back out there, and he Next year, we will start My main priority is still the Origin career that his last game kept himself in the game. He all over again. For me, I am Queensland Origin side and for Queensland will be forever wasn’t hiding out wide or just heading back to the Broncos getting them to peak at the remembered for his bravery making up the numbers. as an assistant coach to right time and to achieve that, and his brilliance. He gave everything he had. continue my education and I think I need to be coaching at You get used to expecting it And then, when the entire improvement as a rugby league NRL level on a more consistent from these guys, from these series was on the line, it comes coach. basis. elite players. But after seeing down to him – and there is not To get better as a coach, I After the year we have had, him at halftime in Sydney, and any other person in the world feel I have to coach, rather than I can’t wait to see what is in seeing how badly damaged you would want taking that kick just sit around thinking about store for the Maroons in 2018.