Gold Coasters’ influence felt in biggest game on NRL calendar

THE NRL’s biggest show is on this Sunday night and Gold Coast connections are likely to once again play a part. We look at five impactful players in recent years.

THE NRL’s biggest show is on this Sunday night and Gold Coast connections are likely to once again play a part, with former Keebra Park student Isaac Liu and former Burleigh Bear Luke Keary set to line up for the Roosters.

We look at five impactful players in recent years.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR $3 A WEEK

TITANS LOCK UP SCHOOLBOY TALENT

LAWTON AN INFLUENCER IN AND OUT OF LEAGUE

Te Maire Martin of the Cowboys scores a try during the 2017 NRL Grand Final match between the Melbourne Storm and the North Queensland Cowboys. Photo: Getty Images

2017 — Te Maire Martin, Cowboys

Former Keebra Park student Martin joined the Cowboys halfway through the season having fallen out of favour at Penrith. With Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan filling spots in the halves, Martin headed north believing he would play in the Intrust Super Cup while learning from Thurston.

Within a week of arriving, he was replacing his idol, who had suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. He helped the Cowboys into last year’s grand final by scoring a try against the Roosters and crossed again in the grand final against the Storm, scoring North Queensland’s only try in a 34-6 loss.

Kevin Proctor of the Storm takes on the defence during the 2016 NRL Grand Final match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Melbourne Storm. Photo: Getty Images

2016 — Kevin Proctor, Melbourne

Former Palm Beach Currumbin student Proctor made 41 tackles but it was still not enough to stop the Sharks from winning a historic first premiership. The match was to be the last in purple for Proctor, who won a premiership with the Storm in 2012 and another with Melbourne’s under-20s in 2009. The dreadlocked second-rower moved to the Gold Coast Titans from 2017, although he has not yet been able to replicate his strongest form for the Gold Coast.

The North Queensland Cowboys return to Townsville after their grand final win in Sydney Jason Taumalolo and Ben Hannant

2015 — Ben Hannant, North Queensland

Hannant won a premiership with the Brisbane Broncos in 2006, a year after making his NRL debut with the Roosters. The former Palm Beach Currumbin student and a Queensland and Australian stalwart between 2008-2012, Hannant played for several clubs — including two stints with Brisbane — before joining the Cowboys in the twilight of his career. He played a significant role off the bench in North Queensland’s maiden premiership, making 27 tackles and nine runs for 77m as the Cowboys beat the Broncos in a match regarded by many as the greatest modern grand final.

South Sydney's Luke Keary celebrates during the lap of honour in 2014 NRL Grand Final between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium. Picture Gregg Porteous

2014 — Luke Keary, South Sydney

Keary arrived at the Burleigh Bears in 2011, hoping to land an NRL contract with the Titans after starring for the Queensland Cup club. But the playmaker was shunned by the Gold Coast, considered too small to make the leap to the big leagues. He was eventually given a chance by South Sydney and thrived, leading the Rabbitohs to the grand final in 2014 and helping the club break a 43-year premiership drought. With two tackle breaks, a line break and a try assist, Keary was in everything, helping mastermind the Rabbitohs’ famous 30-6 victory. He will line up this week for the Roosters, hoping to earn a second premiership against Melbourne.

Rooster's Sonny Bill Williams celebrates after full time with Sam Moa (right) after the 2013 NRL Grand Final.

2013 — Sam Moa, Roosters

Another product of the famous Keebra Park nursery, Moa lined up for the Roosters in their 26-18 win against Manly. In his first season with the Roosters after four years at Hull FC in England, Moa was one of the Roosters’ best in their grand final win, making 28 tackles including a bellringer on Glenn Stewart early in the match. He also made 11 runs for 90m in as part of a fearsome pack that included Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sonny Bill Williams and Boyd Cordner. While Benji Marshall is Keebra’s most famous export, foundation program coach Greg Lenton has often said Moa would be his choice as captain of any combined side.