2004 Rugby League State of Origin series
Encyclopedia
The 2004 State of Origin
series was the 23rd year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches contested between the Queensland
and New South Wales
representative teams was played under 'State of Origin' selection rules. A pre-series Blues mobile phone scandal, Brad Fittler
's comeback, a Golden point
outcome in game I and an extraordinary Billy Slater
try showed that State of Origin's ability to create memorable football moments was as strong as ever after 25 years of contest. New South Wales players Anthony Minichiello
and Mark Gasnier
were dropped following a drunken incident during the Blues' training camp when it was made public that Gasnier had left a lewd message on a female acquaintance's phone.
The Blues' game III victory saw a match-up in the respective cumulative tallies at 35 wins apiece, continuing a recurring trend where any push toward dominance by one side is soon countered by the other. The Ron McAuliffe
Medal for Queensland player of the series was awarded to Steve Price.
Game one featured the first ever Golden point
decision in State of Origin football in the very first game where the ruling became available. With scores locked at 8-all and three minutes of extra time played, St George Illawarra Dragons
player Shaun Timmins
, who had returned to top-class and representative football against unlikely odds after two career-threatening knee injuries and operations, stepped up and kicked a 37-metre left-foot field goal to steal victory for New South Wales. Blues halfback Craig Gower
had already missed three earlier field goal attempts, was struggling with a knee injury and was closely marked by Queensland at every kick opportunity so it was left to Timmins to create his own moment of Origin folklore.
coaxed Brad Fittler
out of representative retirement to spearhead the Blues campaign. First game hero Timmins was missing through injury as was Gower and next choice half-backs Trent Barrett
, Matt Orford
and Brett Kimmorley
. This left Sydney Roosters
number seven Brett Finch
to make his Origin debut alongside his club captain Fittler at five-eighth.
Suncorp Stadium proved to be a graveyeard for the Blues thanks to one of the greatest Origin tries ever seen. Billy Slater
, a former track work jockey who had burst onto the rugby league scene in 2003 stormed onto a Darren Lockyer
grubber kick from halfway before chipping over the top of Blues fullback Anthony Minichiello
, chasing, regathering and scoring in the same instant.
saved their best till last. The match was also the swansong for Phil Gould, New South Wales' most successful Origin coach who had commenced his coaching association with Fittler 14 years earlier at the beginning of their respective coaching and playing careers.
Gould gambled by making six changes to the side which had played in game II. St George Illawarra
provided six players including debutant centres Mark Gasnier
and Matt Cooper and it was their attacking impetus along with Fittler's class that clinched an emphatic 36-14 victory. Fittler scored the last try in the match to the delight of his team-mates.
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
series was the 23rd year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches contested between the Queensland
Queensland rugby league team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
and New South Wales
New South Wales rugby league team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
representative teams was played under 'State of Origin' selection rules. A pre-series Blues mobile phone scandal, Brad Fittler
Brad Fittler
Bradley Scott "Freddie" Fittler AM is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. The current coach of NSW City team in the City vs. Country clash, he coached in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters between 2007 and 2009. As a player, Fittler captained both New South Wales...
's comeback, a Golden point
Golden point
The golden point, a sudden death overtime system, is used to resolve drawn rugby league football matches. The term is borrowed from soccer's now defunct golden goal.-Australasia:...
outcome in game I and an extraordinary Billy Slater
Billy Slater
Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne...
try showed that State of Origin's ability to create memorable football moments was as strong as ever after 25 years of contest. New South Wales players Anthony Minichiello
Anthony Minichiello
Anthony Minichiello is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who, to date, has played his entire career for the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League. He plays at fullback and on the Wing. Minichiello has represented New South Wales and Australia...
and Mark Gasnier
Mark Gasnier
Mark Gasnier is an Australian former rugby league player, a state and national representative centre three-quarter. He played eleven top-grade seasons with the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL, interrupted by two seasons of rugby union played with the French club Stade Français. He was a...
were dropped following a drunken incident during the Blues' training camp when it was made public that Gasnier had left a lewd message on a female acquaintance's phone.
The Blues' game III victory saw a match-up in the respective cumulative tallies at 35 wins apiece, continuing a recurring trend where any push toward dominance by one side is soon countered by the other. The Ron McAuliffe
Ron McAuliffe
Ronald Edward McAuliffe OBE was a politician and sports administrator in Queensland, Australia. He is best remembered for his years running the Queensland Rugby League, and his instrumental role in the formation of the State of Origin competition.McAuliffe attended school at St. Joseph's College,...
Medal for Queensland player of the series was awarded to Steve Price.
Game I
Golden point
The golden point, a sudden death overtime system, is used to resolve drawn rugby league football matches. The term is borrowed from soccer's now defunct golden goal.-Australasia:...
decision in State of Origin football in the very first game where the ruling became available. With scores locked at 8-all and three minutes of extra time played, St George Illawarra Dragons
St George Illawarra Dragons
The St George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing the St. George and Illawarra regions. They have competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 as a joint venture between Sydney's historic St. George Dragons club and 1982 expansion club, the...
player Shaun Timmins
Shaun Timmins
Shaun Timmins is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
, who had returned to top-class and representative football against unlikely odds after two career-threatening knee injuries and operations, stepped up and kicked a 37-metre left-foot field goal to steal victory for New South Wales. Blues halfback Craig Gower
Craig Gower
Craig Gower is an Australian-Italian professional rugby footballer. He is a dual-code rugby international, having played rugby league for Australia, and rugby union for Italy...
had already missed three earlier field goal attempts, was struggling with a knee injury and was closely marked by Queensland at every kick opportunity so it was left to Timmins to create his own moment of Origin folklore.
Game II
Game II had plenty of hype surrounding it after Blues coach Phil GouldPhil Gould
Phil Gould is an Australian rugby league broadcaster, journalist, administrator and former player and coach. Since the 1990s he has had a prominent role in Channel 9's coverage of rugby league, as a commentator on their match-day coverage, and appears on The Sunday Footy Show and The Sunday Roast...
coaxed Brad Fittler
Brad Fittler
Bradley Scott "Freddie" Fittler AM is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. The current coach of NSW City team in the City vs. Country clash, he coached in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters between 2007 and 2009. As a player, Fittler captained both New South Wales...
out of representative retirement to spearhead the Blues campaign. First game hero Timmins was missing through injury as was Gower and next choice half-backs Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
, Matt Orford
Matt Orford
Matthew Orford is an Australian professional rugby league player, last playing for the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League competition...
and Brett Kimmorley
Brett Kimmorley
Brett "Noddy" Kimmorley was an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the NRL. He has previously played for five other clubs and has also represented his country and state on several occasions...
. This left Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
number seven Brett Finch
Brett Finch
Brett Finch is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wigan Warriors of the Super League...
to make his Origin debut alongside his club captain Fittler at five-eighth.
Suncorp Stadium proved to be a graveyeard for the Blues thanks to one of the greatest Origin tries ever seen. Billy Slater
Billy Slater
Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne...
, a former track work jockey who had burst onto the rugby league scene in 2003 stormed onto a Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011...
grubber kick from halfway before chipping over the top of Blues fullback Anthony Minichiello
Anthony Minichiello
Anthony Minichiello is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who, to date, has played his entire career for the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League. He plays at fullback and on the Wing. Minichiello has represented New South Wales and Australia...
, chasing, regathering and scoring in the same instant.
Game III
In game III, the Blues and their inspirational former captain Brad FittlerBrad Fittler
Bradley Scott "Freddie" Fittler AM is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. The current coach of NSW City team in the City vs. Country clash, he coached in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters between 2007 and 2009. As a player, Fittler captained both New South Wales...
saved their best till last. The match was also the swansong for Phil Gould, New South Wales' most successful Origin coach who had commenced his coaching association with Fittler 14 years earlier at the beginning of their respective coaching and playing careers.
Gould gambled by making six changes to the side which had played in game II. St George Illawarra
St George Illawarra Dragons
The St George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing the St. George and Illawarra regions. They have competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 as a joint venture between Sydney's historic St. George Dragons club and 1982 expansion club, the...
provided six players including debutant centres Mark Gasnier
Mark Gasnier
Mark Gasnier is an Australian former rugby league player, a state and national representative centre three-quarter. He played eleven top-grade seasons with the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL, interrupted by two seasons of rugby union played with the French club Stade Français. He was a...
and Matt Cooper and it was their attacking impetus along with Fittler's class that clinched an emphatic 36-14 victory. Fittler scored the last try in the match to the delight of his team-mates.
New South Wales squad
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback |  Ben HornbyBen Hornby Ben Hornby is an Australian Naruto loving professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the St George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League... |
 Anthony Minichello |
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| Wing |  Luke LewisLuke Lewis Luke Lewis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative utility player, he has spent his entire professional career with the Panthers,... |
 Timana TahuTimana Tahu Timana James Aporo Tahu is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and former rugby union player, a dual-code international, currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League. He formerly played for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super 14 competition... |
Luke Lewis Luke Lewis Luke Lewis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative utility player, he has spent his entire professional career with the Panthers,... |
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| Centre |  Michael De VereMichael De Vere Michael De Vere is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He represented Australia in four tests and New South Wales in five State of Origin matches... |
Luke Lewis Luke Lewis Luke Lewis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative utility player, he has spent his entire professional career with the Panthers,... |
Mark Gasnier Mark Gasnier Mark Gasnier is an Australian former rugby league player, a state and national representative centre three-quarter. He played eleven top-grade seasons with the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL, interrupted by two seasons of rugby union played with the French club Stade Français. He was a... |
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| Centre | Matt Gidley |
Matt Cooper Matt Cooper (rugby league footballer) Matt Cooper is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays for the St George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League... |
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| Wing | Luke Rooney Luke Rooney Luke Rooney is an Australian professional rugby union footballer for RC Toulonnais in the Top 14 competition as of 2012. His previous teams include Melbourne Rebels and the Penrith Panthers.-Rugby League:... |
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| Five-Eighth | Shaun Timmins Shaun Timmins Shaun Timmins is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s... |
Brad Fittler Brad Fittler Bradley Scott "Freddie" Fittler AM is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. The current coach of NSW City team in the City vs. Country clash, he coached in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters between 2007 and 2009. As a player, Fittler captained both New South Wales... |
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| Halfback | Craig Gower Craig Gower Craig Gower is an Australian-Italian professional rugby footballer. He is a dual-code rugby international, having played rugby league for Australia, and rugby union for Italy... |
Brett Finch Brett Finch Brett Finch is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wigan Warriors of the Super League... |
Trent Barrett Trent Barrett Trent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s... |
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| Prop |  Ryan O'HaraRyan O'Hara Ryan O'Hara is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains Welsh club Crusaders of Europe's Super League... |
 Jason StevensJason Stevens Jason Anthony Stevens is a former professional rugby league footballer who represented his country and state. He primarily played at prop... |
Jason Ryles Jason Ryles Jason Ryles is an Australian rugby league player. He has played in the National Rugby League for the Sydney Roosters and the St. George Illawarra Dragons and in Europe's Super League for the Catalans Dragons. He is contracted to play for the Melbourne Storm from 2012... |
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| Hooker | Danny Buderus Danny Buderus Danny Buderus is an Australian professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL... (c) |
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| Prop |  Mark O'MeleyMark O'Meley Mark O'Meley is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the European Super League team, Hull, and previously of the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League competition. He also previously played for the North Sydney Bears, the ill fated Northern Eagles and the Bulldogs... |
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| Second Row |  Nathan HindmarshNathan Hindmarsh Nathan William Hindmarsh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League and the Australian Prime Minister's XIII... |
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| Second Row | Andrew Ryan |
Craig Fitzgibbon Craig Fitzgibbon Craig "Fitzy" Fitzgibbon is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for Hull in the European Super League and previously the Sydney Roosters of the NRL. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he is the son of former rugby league player and... |
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| Lock | Craig Fitzgibbon Craig Fitzgibbon Craig "Fitzy" Fitzgibbon is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for Hull in the European Super League and previously the Sydney Roosters of the NRL. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he is the son of former rugby league player and... |
Shaun Timmins Shaun Timmins Shaun Timmins is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s... |
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| Interchange | Craig Wing Craig Wing Craig Wing is an Australian rugby union player. He currently plays rugby union in Japan. A former rugby league player for New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international utility player, Wing played for South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters.-South Sydney Rabbitohs:Craig Wing was a... |
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| Interchange | Trent Waterhouse Trent Waterhouse Trent Waterhouse is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League . He has also represented City Origin, New South Wales and Australia... |
Ben Kennedy Ben Kennedy Ben Kennedy , is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s... |
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| Interchange | Brent Kite Brent Kite Brent Kite is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing in the NRL with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. A Tonga and Australia international, and New South Wales State of Origin representative front-row forward, he has played club football for the St. George Illawarra... |
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| Interchange | Willie Mason Willie Mason William Marshall "Willie" Mason is an Australian professional rugby union footballer for Toulon in the Top 14 competition, having previously being a rugby league footballer for Hull KR in the European Super League.Mason signed a 3-year contract with Hull KR in September 2010, pending a successful... |
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| Coach |  Phil GouldPhil Gould Phil Gould is an Australian rugby league broadcaster, journalist, administrator and former player and coach. Since the 1990s he has had a prominent role in Channel 9's coverage of rugby league, as a commentator on their match-day coverage, and appears on The Sunday Footy Show and The Sunday Roast... |
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Queensland squad
| Position | Game I | Game II | Game III | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Rhys Wesser Rhys Wesser Rhys Joseph "Sugar" Wesser is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the NRL... |
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| Wing | Justin Hodges Justin Hodges Justin Hodges is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... |
 Matt SingMatt Sing Matthew Charles Sing is an Australian semi-retired professional rugby league footballer for the Central Comets in the Queensland Cup. His first grade career spanned much of the 1990s and 2000s... |
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| Centre | Paul Bowman |
Brent Tate Brent Tate Brent Tate is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League... |
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| Centre | Brent Tate Brent Tate Brent Tate is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League... |
Willie Tonga Willie Tonga Willie Tonga is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the North Queensland Cowboys of the NRL... |
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| Wing |  Billy SlaterBilly Slater Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne... |
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| Five-Eighth | Chris Flannery |
Darren Lockyer Darren Lockyer Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011... (c) |
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| Halfback |  Scott PrinceScott Prince Scott Prince is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and current captain of the Gold Coast Titans club of the National Rugby League... |
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| Prop | Shane Webcke Shane Webcke Shane Webcke is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, who spent his entire top-grade career playing for the Brisbane Broncos. His position of choice was at prop forward and at his peak he was renowned as the best front rower in the world... (c) |
Shane Webcke Shane Webcke Shane Webcke is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, who spent his entire top-grade career playing for the Brisbane Broncos. His position of choice was at prop forward and at his peak he was renowned as the best front rower in the world... |
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| Hooker | Cameron Smith Cameron Smith Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League... |
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| Prop | Steve Price |
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| Second Row | Michael Crocker Michael Crocker Michael Crocker is an Australian professional rugby league footballer with the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the NRL... |
Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... |
Michael Crocker Michael Crocker Michael Crocker is an Australian professional rugby league footballer with the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the NRL... |
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| Second Row | Dane Carlaw Dane Carlaw Dane Carlaw is an Australian professional rugby league footballer. He currently plays for the Brisbane Broncos in Australia's National Rugby League after spending three years in the European Super League competition playing for French side Catalans Dragons.-Early years:While attending Padua... |
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| Lock | Tonie Carroll Tonie Carroll Tonie Carroll is retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian and New Zealand international representative utility, he played for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL... |
Chris Flannery |
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| Interchange | Ben Ross Ben Ross Ben Ross is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League . A Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has previously played club football for St... |
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| Interchange | Matt Bowen Matt Bowen Matthew Jeremy "Matt" Bowen is an Australian rugby league player. He has spent his whole professional career with the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League , playing in over 200 matches and holding the club's record for the player with the most NRL appearances. He appeared in the... |
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| Interchange | Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... |
Chris Flannery |
Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... |
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| Interchange | Travis Norton Travis Norton Travis Norton is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s... |
Corey Parker |
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| Coach | Michael Hagan Michael Hagan Michael Hagan is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player. He currently works as assistant coach under Mal Meninga for the record-breaking Queensland rugby league team... |
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External links
Sources
- Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition, News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney