FOG #36 Brad Tessmann | Kingaroy Roots, Origin Glory & The Missing Jersey

Brad Tessmann is FOG #36.

Born in Kingaroy, Brad grew up working on the family farm before making his mark in Rugby League with the Kingaroy Red Ants. In 1978, he captained the Queensland Under-18 side alongside future Origin greats Mal Meninga and Brian Niebling, setting the foundations for a remarkable representative career.

A proud Queenslander, Brad went on to play five State of Origin matches for the Maroons between 1983 and 1986, making his debut in Game One of the 1983 series at Lang Park. That same year, he represented Australia against New Zealand in his only Test appearance, famously wearing the number 17 jersey after his original number 13 went missing.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Brad reflects on growing up in Kingaroy, playing against older boys in junior Rugby League, captaining Queensland as a teenager, and making the move to Brisbane to join the Souths Magpies.

He also shares memories of the early days of State of Origin, receiving the call-up to represent Queensland, playing alongside legends of the game, and the journey that took him from Souths and Redcliffe to the Eastern Suburbs Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos in their inaugural season of 1988.

From the unforgettable story behind his missing Australian Test jersey to representing Oceania against France in Paris, Brad looks back on the coaches, teammates and experiences that shaped his career.

From a farm in Kingaroy to Lang Park, the Australian Test arena and the Rugby League fields of Paris.

A boy from the bush. A proud Queenslander. And a remarkable Rugby League journey.

#FOGS #BradTessmann #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandMaroons #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #BrisbaneBroncos #SouthsMagpies #SydneyRoosters #Kingaroy #Queenslander

FOG #119 John Buttigieg | Townsville Roots, Cowboys Loyalty & Origin Debut Glory

John Buttigieg is FOG #119.

Born in Townsville and a junior of South Townsville, John went on to spend his entire first grade career with the North Queensland Cowboys, playing 101 games for the club and becoming one of the early local products to represent the region on the national stage.

A proud North Queenslander, John was named the Cowboys’ Players’ Player in 1999 and also represented the Aborigines against Papua New Guinea under Arthur Beetson. In 2001, he achieved a lifelong dream when he made his State of Origin debut for Queensland in Game One at Lang Park.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, John reflects on growing up in Townsville, starting rugby league at Souths, the importance of the Cowboys to North Queensland, and the decision to stay close to home instead of taking offers from southern clubs.

He also opens up on making his NRL debut as a teenager, learning from experienced forwards, the wake-up call that helped him push towards Origin, running out at Lang Park for Queensland, and scoring a try on debut in one of the proudest moments of his career.

From South Townsville to the Cowboys, to Lang Park and the Origin arena. And now continuing to contribute to the game through FOGS.

A proud Queenslander. A proud Cowboy. And a North Queensland Rugby League story through and through.

#FOGS #JohnButtigieg #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandMaroons #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #NorthQueenslandCowboys #Cowboys #Townsville #Queenslander

FOG #136 Mick Crocker | Origin Pride, Roosters Glory & a Career Built on Competition

Michael "Mick" Crocker is FOG #136.

Born in New South Wales but raised in Queensland from a young age, Mick Crocker went on to build an outstanding career across the Sydney Roosters, Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin representative and Australian international, Mick played 204 NRL games and appeared in five Grand Finals, including three consecutive appearances with the Roosters between 2002 and 2004.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Mick reflects on growing up in Queensland, his early days at Sandgate, North Devils and Redcliffe, and the junior coaches who helped shape his game. He talks about the opportunity that took him from Brisbane to the Sydney Roosters, making his NRL debut, winning a premiership and playing alongside some of the game's biggest names.

Mick also opens up about his State of Origin journey, from missing out on Game One in 2003 to making his Queensland debut in Game Two and wearing the number nine jersey. He talks about the pride of representing his state, the influence of Queensland legends, the lessons he learned in Origin camp and the moments that have stayed with him most.

The conversation also covers Mick's time representing Australia, including the 2003 Kangaroo Tour, his unexpected move into the number six jersey, his years at the Melbourne Storm under Craig Bellamy, and his leadership role at South Sydney.

A Queenslander. An Origin player. An Australian international. A premiership winner. And a player whose career was built on a love of competition and the people around him.

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#FOGS #MickCrocker #MichaelCrocker #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandMaroons #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #SydneyRoosters #MelbourneStorm #SouthSydneyRabbitohs #Kangaroos #Queenslander