The Super Six who must get a statue

Here are six wonders of the rugby league world who simply must be recognised with a statue after their impact on Brisbane, North Queensland and Gold Coast league.

They are six wonders of the rugby league world who simply must get a statue during their lifetime.

Bronzed momentos of Preston Campbell, Matt Bowen, Kerry Boustead, Gene Miles, John Lang and Petero Civoniceva would be roundly received within their communities given their contributions on and off the field.

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As footballers Miles borders immortal status, while all six wear the “legends” badge of onour.

North Queensland has rightly acclaimed their greatest, Johnathan Thurston, outside its wonderful stadium in Townsville, but how about two more - Bowen and Boustead?

Matt Bowen in action

No footballer in the Cowboys history has generated more excitement than Bowen, a simply extraordinary fullback.

He rose from a Hopevale cattle property where his father built a dam so young Matthew could keep fit swimming during the NRL off-season.

Preston Campbell

He is an inspiring figure to not only that region, but communities far and wide, highlighting dreams can come true.

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The Cowboys may not have even started without the hard work of Boustead who was the chief executive who lead North Queensland into the competition in 1995.

Boustead and his players were hands-on during those formative months, taking shovels and wheelbarrows to the stadium where they laid turf and built hills for spectators to sit on.

Boustead is also one of North Queensland’s greatest players, hailing from Innisfail to play 25 Tests on the wing.

Seagulls legend Gene Miles at Kougari Oval

Miles is another North Queenslander (Townsville Souths) but unlike Bowen and Boustead, he made a name for himself in the BRL with Easts initially, but mainly Wynnum Manly.

A centre and later a second rower, Miles is one of our true greats.

Don’t take my word for it. Ask Sydney-based greats Geoff Toovey and Steve Roach and they will wax lyrical about Miles.

A statue out the front of Kougari Oval would be just the ticket.

The 1982 Wynnum Seagulls premiership side, with Gene Miles (third row, fourth from left)

Like Bowen and the Gold Coast’s Preston Campbell, Petero Civoniceva also set a wonderful example to his community.

He grew up in Redcliffe and through hard work and more hard work progressed from the Dolphins juniors into the NRL with Brisbane.

On the field he played a record 45 Tests as a prop and off it he was a monument to the code.

Is there a better time to erect a statue in his honour at the entrance to Dolphin Oval now the Dolphins have made it into the NRL?

Kerry Boustead played in 25 Tests.

Likewise Campbell has been a wonderful spokesman for his community.

From the tiny northwestern NSW hamlet of Tingha, Campbell reckoned he developed his sidestep chasing rabbits in the sand creek beds around his home town.

John Lang

He also showed local kids that you can achieve your dreams by making his ARL debut for the Gold Coast Chargers, before returning to the Gold Coast Titans after starring roles with Cronulla and Penrith.

Johnny Lang is a Brisbane (Easts) Tigers legend from tip to toe. He went to school at Coorparoo State School, and along with the Des and Rod Morris, spearheaded the Tigers to three BRL premierships in the 1970s.

Lang represented Australia and Queensland - he was a member of the Maroons’ first ever Origin side in 1980 - and coached Easts to two BRL grand finals.

Arthur "Artie" Beetson is jumped by Sydney Easts player John Lang in 1980.

Originally published as The Super Six who must get a statue