FOGS Queenslander Podcast

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

FOG #189 Jarrod Wallace | Gold Coast Roots, Origin Pride & Finding Purpose After Footy

Jarrod Wallace is FOG #189.

Born on the Gold Coast and raised in a rugby league family, Jarrod grew up playing for Runaway Bay and chasing footies around from the age of three. What started as a love for playing with his mates became a professional career built on hard work, resilience and a genuine passion for the game.

Jarrod made his NRL debut with the Brisbane Broncos in 2012, before going on to play for the Gold Coast Titans, the Dolphins and Catalans Dragons. Across more than 200 NRL games, he built a reputation as a tough, energetic middle forward who gave everything for his teammates.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Jarrod reflects on growing up on the Gold Coast, signing his first contract as a teenager, moving to Brisbane, learning from senior Broncos and Queensland players, and the pain of the 2015 Grand Final loss.

He also opens up on returning home to the Titans, earning his State of Origin debut in 2017, running out for Queensland for the first time, playing alongside some of the game’s greats, and the influence Wayne Bennett had on his career.

From Runaway Bay to the Origin arena.
A proud Queenslander.
And a footballer who gave everything to the game.

#FOGS #JarrodWallace #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandMaroons #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #BrisbaneBroncos #GoldCoastTitans #DolphinsNRL #Queenslander

FOG #24 Paul Vautin | Manly Glory, Maroon Pride & the 1995 Neville Nobodies
Paul Vautin is FOG #24.
Born in Brisbane and a junior of the West Mitchelton Panthers, Paul went on to build one of rugby league’s most recognisable careers as a player, captain, coach and commentator.
A premiership-winning captain with Manly-Warringah in 1987, Paul played 22 games for Queensland, including two as captain, and represented Australia during an outstanding playing career. He remains one of only a small group of FOGS to have both captained and coached Queensland.
In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Fatty reflects on his upbringing in Brisbane, the influence of his father, his early days at Wests, the move to Manly, how he got his famous nickname, and what it meant to pull on the Queensland jersey.
He also looks back on the golden era of Queensland Origin, the friendships built through the Maroons, captaining his state, and the unforgettable 1995 Neville Nobodies series, where he coached Queensland to one of the greatest upsets in State of Origin history.
A premiership-winning captain.
A Maroons player and coach.
And one of Queensland rugby league’s great characters.
#FOGS #PaulVautin #FattyVautin #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandMaroons #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #ManlySeaEagles #Queenslander