What’s the Buzz: The shortest State of Origin careers ever

Not every State of Origin star got as many games as Cameron Smith. Some didn’t even make it on the field.

Aaron Raper and Greg Holben had short-lived Origin careers.

Aaron Raper still often thinks about his one and only State of Origin appearance, the night he sat on the bench for the NSW Blues but didn’t make it on to the famous MCG pitch.

“I just remember being freezing cold,” he said at the time (1997).

“But I fixed that up by having 1000 bourbons later in the night.”

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Named as a back-up hooker, the Parramatta Eels forward was controversially overlooked by coach Tommy Raudonikis for any game time, causing a storm when his father, league legend Johnny Raper, criticised the decision in the media.

“I didn’t have 1000 bourbons but I had plenty,” Raper recalled last week.

“I remember Dean Pay grabbed me at the end of the game and said, ‘you and me are going to have a drink tonight’. It was nice because he knew I was pretty pissed off.”

Raper still has the jersey at home locked away in a wardrobe. He’s felt no need to put it on display, not for the moment anyway.

“Look, at the time I took it personally,” he said. “Now, I’m older I understand decisions are made in the best interests of the team, not one person. There was a photo where I looked angry and I was disappointed about that. It’s a team game. And we won which was what mattered.

“I remember mum and dad were upset and quoted in the media. Still, I think it was only a big story because of my surname and that I was the son of a legend. Seriously, it got blown up because of my name.”

Asked if he still thinks about it, there’s a long pause.

Aaron Raper and Greg Holben had short-lived Origin careers.

“I guess I do,” Raper said. “I do wish I’d got some game time. I just wanted to feel the tempo. Make a tackle, have a run, experience the hits, the intensity and the speed that everyone talked about.”

The jersey now sits in the wardrobe with a little red stain.

“Someone must have had a pie after the game and spilt some sauce over me,” he said. “It definitely wasn’t my blood.”

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Aaron Raper (NSW)

Pos: Hooker

Team: Eels

Year played: 1997 (Game 2)

1 GAME: ZERO MINUTES

Gary Smith (QLD)

Pos: Second row

Team: Brisbane Brothers

Year played: 1987 (G1)

1 GAME: 14 MINUTES

Garry Dowling (NSW)

Pos: Fullback

Team: Wests Magpies

Year played: 1981 (G1)

1 GAME: 12 MINUTES

Keith Galloway (NSW)

Pos: Prop

Team: Wests Tigers

Year played: 2011 (G3)

1 GAME: 9 MINUTES

Keith Galloway on debut for the Blues. Picture: Darren England.

Michael Potter (NSW)

Pos: Fullback

Team: Bulldogs

Year played: 1984 (G3)

1 GAME: 12 MINUTES

Greg Holben (QLD)

Pos: Utility

Team: Brisbane Easts

Year played: 1982 (G2)

1 GAME: 4 MINUTES

Brett Rodwell (NSW)

Pos: Halfback

Team: Knights

Year played: 1995 (G2)

1 GAME: 9 MINUTES

Brett Rodwell (NSW)

Pos: Halfback

Team: Knights

Year played: 1995 (G2)

1 GAME: 9 MINUTES

Bruce Astill played just 13 minutes.

Bruce Astill (QLD)

Pos: Centre

Team: Brisbane Souths

Year played: 1983 (G3)

1 GAME: 13 MINUTES

Phil Blake (NSW)

Pos: Halfback

Team: Rabbitohs

Year played: 1989 (G3)

1 GAME: 16 MINUTES

Adrian Vowles (QLD)

Pos: Utility

Team: Gold Coast

Year played: 1994 (G2)

1 GAME: 13 MINUTES

Scott Tronc (QLD)

Pos: Front rower

Team: Wests Magpies

Year played: 1988 (G1)

1 GAME: 17 MINUTES

Ken Nagas (NSW)

Pos: Winger

Team: Raiders

Year played: 1994

TWO GAMES: 11 MINUTES

(Games 2: 9m, Game 3: 2m)