Mackay’s 10 best State of Origin players revealed

We’ve ranked the best players to pull on the Maroon jersey from our region. Who’s number one? VOTE IN OUR POLL

Mackay is a rich sugar town, but the region is also rich with rugby league talent.

Mustering a top 10 list from Mackay and its lush surroundings was a bit like asking a parent which twin do they like more.

We considered Shannon Hegarty (3 Origins), a former Brothers Mackay and St Patrick’s player who was an outstanding centre-winger and one of the finest to come out of the rich sugar town.

Also pushing for a top 10 position was Adrian Brunker was another fine outside back to emerge from our area, among many others.

But in the end, we settled on this 10.

WHO’S YOUR NO. 1? HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE COMMENTS AND SCROLL DOWN TO VOTE IN OUR POLL

Martin Bella and Wally Lewis with coach Graham Lowe in 1991.

1. Martin Bella

21 Origins

You could argue until the cows come home – or until the canfields are cut – about who was the best Queensland Origin player out of Martin Bella, Dane Gagai and Dale Shearer. Let us start the argument by nominating Martin Bella, a prop forward who lifted himself sometimes beyond his ability to take on the might of the NSW packs. He played nine Tests, but never did he reach the same heights as he did on Origin night when he cut an inspired figure while ripping into the heart of the Blues’ forwards.

Dane Gagai of the Queensland Maroons celebrates following State of Origin Game 3 in 2017. Photo: (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

2. Dane Gagai

17 Origins

If you put a Maroon coloured cape on Dane Gagai for his entry onto the playing arena on Origin night, I am sure he would take off and fly like superman, so extraordinary is he for the Maroons. Queensland has a history of producing players who rise to the occasion, but none rise as high as Gagai does for his state.

Dale Shearer in action in 1992.

3. Dale Shearer

26 Origins

By a country mile, Shearer, a veteran of 20 Tests, is the most talented player to come from our region and represent Queensland in the State of Origin era. A winger, fullback or centre, he even played five-eight in Paul Vautin’s “Fatties No Names’’ outfit which astonishingly won the 1995 series for Queensland. Watching Shearer run was like poetry in motion. He is a true great of the game.

Wendell Sailor in game two of the 1998 State of Origin series.

4. Wendell Sailor

14 Origins

A veteran of 16 Tests and 14 Origins, “Dell’’ was an action packed, wing powerhouse who was so strong he could also be used as an extra forward as he was in the Broncos 2000 premiership run. He was a dynamic athlete with pace and power and a vicious fend and was a real personality player.

Paul Bowman in game one of the 2001 State of Origin series. Photo: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

5. Paul Bowman

12 Origins

From Proserpine north of Mackay, Bowman was the Mr Reliable of the Queensland backline between 2000 and 2005. He was never the type to make a 30m break, but nor did his opponent. He was a wonderful campaigner who tried and tried some more during a period when Queensland struggled to curtail the NSW teams.

Kevin Cam[ion in game two of the 2001 State of Origin series. Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

6. Kevin Campion

4 Origins

If a new team was coming into the competition, one of the first players they would choose should be Kevin Campion – another should be Neville Costigan (see below). Campion, a backrower who could play dummy half, was a workhorse, a typical Wayne Bennett, Craig Bellamy, Jack Gibson type of player highly valued by teammates. His greatest Origin moment was helping Queensland win the 2001 series under Bennett’s coaching.

Brett Dallas held by 1996 Origin teammates Wendell Sailor, Steve Renouf and Matt Sing.

7. Brett Dallas

10 Origins

A winger, Dallas had spin-tingling pace and memories of his runaway try during game 2 of the 1995 series will never diminish. He was tough and would blast in off his wing to take a ruck without a fear in the world. But he was at his best on the edge of the field and pity help an opponent who gave him any space in which to work his magic.

Neville Costigan of the Maroons clashes with Brett White of the Blues during game three of the 2009 State of Origin series. Photo: Jonathan Wood/Getty Images

8. Neville Costigan

6 Origins

The hard nosed second rower was made for Origin, and between 2007 and 2010 he produced toughness to the Maroons pack during their run toward eight series wins in a row. When Wayne Bennett went to coach St George Illawarra in 2009, he plucked Costigan from reserve grade. Costigan’s thank you to Bennett was playing in the Dragons 2010 premiership side – the last season he also played Origin.

Steve Jackson after the grand final in 1989 with the Winfield Cup trophy.

9. Steve Jackson

9 Origins

A super sub forward, Steve Jackson could easily have been ranked anyway from 5-9, such was his quality. He is best known for his storming try in extra time to deliver Canberra its first premiership in 1989, but he also produced a similar power laden close to the line surge which won Queensland an Origin match.

Owen Cunningham tackled by Noel Goldthorpe and Ian Roberts during Qld vs NSW Tri-Series final. Photo: Anthony/Weate

10. Owen Cunningham

1 Origin

From the cane fields west of Mackay, the Mirani-raised product played one official Origin and several in Super League, was a wonderful workmanlike lock who could fill in at dummy half for the powerhouse Manly club where he played almost 250 games.