Robert Craddock: Paul Vautin can convince Queensland every (under) dog has its day
He’s responsible for the greatest upset in State of Origin history. Now Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin must be parachuted into Camp Maroon to convince this Queensland side that every (under) dog has its day, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.
It’s time for Queensland to revive the spirit of the Neville Nobodies.
The 30th anniversary of the greatest State of Origin upset of all time would be the perfect moment for the underdog Maroons to tap into the wisdom of Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin, with all of its colourful, inspiring flavours.
Queensland coach Billy Slater should get Fatty, as he has done previously, to hotfoot it from the Gold Coast to the Maroons’ base on the Sunshine Coast to tell them no task is impossible.
When asked at Monday’s media day how he felt about marking Latrell Mitchell, humble Maroon debutant Robert Toia basically said: “I will do my best.”
A session with Vautin would convince the youngster his best can be good enough in the same way that it was in 1995 when Queensland centres Danny Moore and Mark Coyne were marking the imposing Terry Hill and Paul McGregor.
Only three years ago Toia was starring in spectacular fashion week after week for Nudgee College before doing his knee in a game against Churchie.
He was considered the GPS competition’s best centre of the decade but even that status was a world away from walking on to Suncorp Stadium to face six television cameras and nine reporters to talk about his rise to stardom.
Queensland’s State of Origin team does not make the jaw drop on paper but Origin games have never been won on paper.
You know how it works. Just when you think Queensland has not got much of a chance it suddenly becomes a chance.
The more things change in State of Origin the more they stay the same.
Just as they were in 1995, the Maroons are underdogs again but nowhere near as rough odds as Vautin’s rough-and-tumble outfit – the Neville Nobodies – was before it upset a star-studded NSW 3-0.
Not for the first time, the Maroons have the chance to lift Queensland spirits when all four Queensland NRL teams appear stuck in the mud. All four lost on the weekend.
Queensland’s depth has so far managed to cover every injury setback but the talent well is not bottomless. Any more injuries will hurt deeply.
The sight of Maroons great Allan Langer at Queensland training, making people smile as he always does, was a reminder that maybe the Broncos were too hasty in shifting him from his playing day role as a trainer to become a corporate mingler.
Always underestimated, Langer is much more than a trainer.
He’s a bush psychologist who knew when players were down and needed a lift or a laugh. The current Broncos could do with a laugh.
As well as being a runner with Queensland, he carries the playful title of entertainment manager, arranging team dinners he admits will be considerably more restrained affairs than old-style State of Origin bonding sessions.
“It has toned down a lot but it is just about enjoying each other’s company,’’ Langer said.
“It’s wonderful – it’s the three best weeks of the year.
“The joy of being here and seeing these young guys and they still show you the respect is just a great feeling.
“We won’t go too hectic this first week. We will ease our way into it.’’
Alfie easing his way into it? The world has changed indeed.
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