FOGS Queenslander Podcast

FOG #202 Christian Welch | Storm Success, Origin Glory & Life After Footy

Christian Welch is FOG #202.

Born in Sydney but raised in Townsville, Gladstone and Brisbane, Christian grew up with a passion for Rugby League and a childhood dream of representing Queensland. After attending Villanova College and playing Rugby Union, he made the switch to Rugby League with the Easts Tigers before joining the Melbourne Storm.

A proud Queenslander, Christian made his NRL debut for Melbourne in 2015 and went on to become a premiership winner in 2020. He played six State of Origin matches for the Maroons between 2019 and 2021, including Queensland's unforgettable 2020 series victory under Wayne Bennett. After a decade with the Storm, Christian was awarded life membership in 2024.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Christian reflects on growing up in regional Queensland, his unexpected journey from a Rugby Union centre to an NRL front rower, and learning from some of the greatest players in the game at the Melbourne Storm.

He also shares memories of his NRL debut, the heartbreak of the 2016 Grand Final, overcoming serious injuries, and receiving the phone call from Kevin Walters that would fulfil his childhood dream of representing Queensland.

From the intensity of his first State of Origin appearance to the extraordinary 2020 series, Christian recalls playing alongside Queensland legends, the contrasting coaching styles of Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bennett, and what made the Maroons' unlikely series victory so special.

Christian also opens up about the challenges of injury and retirement, the importance of perspective, his work with Camp Quality, and preparing for life beyond Rugby League.

From regional Queensland to the Melbourne Storm, premiership success and the State of Origin arena.

A proud Queenslander. A premiership winner. And a Rugby League career built on hard work, resilience and perspective.

#FOGS #ChristianWelch #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandMaroons #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #MelbourneStorm #EastsTigers #Queenslander

FOG #36 Brad Tessmann | Kingaroy Roots, Origin Glory & The Missing Jersey

Brad Tessmann is FOG #36.

Born in Kingaroy, Brad grew up working on the family farm before making his mark in Rugby League with the Kingaroy Red Ants. In 1978, he captained the Queensland Under-18 side alongside future Origin greats Mal Meninga and Brian Niebling, setting the foundations for a remarkable representative career.

A proud Queenslander, Brad went on to play five State of Origin matches for the Maroons between 1983 and 1986, making his debut in Game One of the 1983 series at Lang Park. That same year, he represented Australia against New Zealand in his only Test appearance, famously wearing the number 17 jersey after his original number 13 went missing.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Brad reflects on growing up in Kingaroy, playing against older boys in junior Rugby League, captaining Queensland as a teenager, and making the move to Brisbane to join the Souths Magpies.

He also shares memories of the early days of State of Origin, receiving the call-up to represent Queensland, playing alongside legends of the game, and the journey that took him from Souths and Redcliffe to the Eastern Suburbs Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos in their inaugural season of 1988.

From the unforgettable story behind his missing Australian Test jersey to representing Oceania against France in Paris, Brad looks back on the coaches, teammates and experiences that shaped his career.

From a farm in Kingaroy to Lang Park, the Australian Test arena and the Rugby League fields of Paris.

A boy from the bush. A proud Queenslander. And a remarkable Rugby League journey.

#FOGS #BradTessmann #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandMaroons #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #BrisbaneBroncos #SouthsMagpies #SydneyRoosters #Kingaroy #Queenslander

FOG #119 John Buttigieg | Townsville Roots, Cowboys Loyalty & Origin Debut Glory

John Buttigieg is FOG #119.

Born in Townsville and a junior of South Townsville, John went on to spend his entire first grade career with the North Queensland Cowboys, playing 101 games for the club and becoming one of the early local products to represent the region on the national stage.

A proud North Queenslander, John was named the Cowboys’ Players’ Player in 1999 and also represented the Aborigines against Papua New Guinea under Arthur Beetson. In 2001, he achieved a lifelong dream when he made his State of Origin debut for Queensland in Game One at Lang Park.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, John reflects on growing up in Townsville, starting rugby league at Souths, the importance of the Cowboys to North Queensland, and the decision to stay close to home instead of taking offers from southern clubs.

He also opens up on making his NRL debut as a teenager, learning from experienced forwards, the wake-up call that helped him push towards Origin, running out at Lang Park for Queensland, and scoring a try on debut in one of the proudest moments of his career.

From South Townsville to the Cowboys, to Lang Park and the Origin arena. And now continuing to contribute to the game through FOGS.

A proud Queenslander. A proud Cowboy. And a North Queensland Rugby League story through and through.

#FOGS #JohnButtigieg #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandMaroons #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #NorthQueenslandCowboys #Cowboys #Townsville #Queenslander

FOG #136 Mick Crocker | Origin Pride, Roosters Glory & a Career Built on Competition

Michael "Mick" Crocker is FOG #136.

Born in New South Wales but raised in Queensland from a young age, Mick Crocker went on to build an outstanding career across the Sydney Roosters, Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin representative and Australian international, Mick played 204 NRL games and appeared in five Grand Finals, including three consecutive appearances with the Roosters between 2002 and 2004.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Mick reflects on growing up in Queensland, his early days at Sandgate, North Devils and Redcliffe, and the junior coaches who helped shape his game. He talks about the opportunity that took him from Brisbane to the Sydney Roosters, making his NRL debut, winning a premiership and playing alongside some of the game's biggest names.

Mick also opens up about his State of Origin journey, from missing out on Game One in 2003 to making his Queensland debut in Game Two and wearing the number nine jersey. He talks about the pride of representing his state, the influence of Queensland legends, the lessons he learned in Origin camp and the moments that have stayed with him most.

The conversation also covers Mick's time representing Australia, including the 2003 Kangaroo Tour, his unexpected move into the number six jersey, his years at the Melbourne Storm under Craig Bellamy, and his leadership role at South Sydney.

A Queenslander. An Origin player. An Australian international. A premiership winner. And a player whose career was built on a love of competition and the people around him.

Subscribe to the FOGS Queenslander Podcast

#FOGS #MickCrocker #MichaelCrocker #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandMaroons #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #SydneyRoosters #MelbourneStorm #SouthSydneyRabbitohs #Kangaroos #Queenslander

FOG #189 Jarrod Wallace | Gold Coast Roots, Origin Pride & Finding Purpose After Footy

Jarrod Wallace is FOG #189.

Born on the Gold Coast and raised in a rugby league family, Jarrod grew up playing for Runaway Bay and chasing footies around from the age of three. What started as a love for playing with his mates became a professional career built on hard work, resilience and a genuine passion for the game.

Jarrod made his NRL debut with the Brisbane Broncos in 2012, before going on to play for the Gold Coast Titans, the Dolphins and Catalans Dragons. Across more than 200 NRL games, he built a reputation as a tough, energetic middle forward who gave everything for his teammates.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Jarrod reflects on growing up on the Gold Coast, signing his first contract as a teenager, moving to Brisbane, learning from senior Broncos and Queensland players, and the pain of the 2015 Grand Final loss.

He also opens up on returning home to the Titans, earning his State of Origin debut in 2017, running out for Queensland for the first time, playing alongside some of the game’s greats, and the influence Wayne Bennett had on his career.

From Runaway Bay to the Origin arena.
A proud Queenslander.
And a footballer who gave everything to the game.

#FOGS #JarrodWallace #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandMaroons #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #BrisbaneBroncos #GoldCoastTitans #DolphinsNRL #Queenslander

FOG #24 Paul Vautin | Manly Glory, Maroon Pride & the 1995 Neville Nobodies

Paul Vautin is FOG #24.

Born in Brisbane and a junior of the West Mitchelton Panthers, Paul went on to build one of rugby league’s most recognisable careers as a player, captain, coach and commentator.

A premiership-winning captain with Manly-Warringah in 1987, Paul played 22 games for Queensland, including two as captain, and represented Australia during an outstanding playing career. He remains one of only a small group of FOGS to have both captained and coached Queensland.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Fatty reflects on his upbringing in Brisbane, the influence of his father, his early days at Wests, the move to Manly, how he got his famous nickname, and what it meant to pull on the Queensland jersey.

He also looks back on the golden era of Queensland Origin, the friendships built through the Maroons, captaining his state, and the unforgettable 1995 Neville Nobodies series, where he coached Queensland to one of the greatest upsets in State of Origin history.

A premiership-winning captain.
A Maroons player and coach.
And one of Queensland rugby league’s great characters.

#FOGS #PaulVautin #FattyVautin #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandMaroons #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #ManlySeaEagles #Queenslander

Here is the new YouTube description for the post Game 3 review, using the transcript and no timing adjustment. 

2026 State of Origin Game III Review | Blues Win Decider, Queensland Lessons & 2027 Fire

New South Wales have claimed the 2026 State of Origin Series after a 30–12 win over Queensland in the Game III decider at Suncorp Stadium.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Mark Braybrook is joined by Trevor Gillmeister and Matt Gillett to review a disappointing night for the Maroons and break down where the decider was won and lost.

The panel looks at Queensland’s strong opening, New South Wales’ kicking game, the key moments that swung momentum, missed opportunities, controversial calls, and the challenge of chasing points in Origin football.

They also discuss the performances of Queensland’s impact players, Briton Nikora’s standout effort, the role of Reece Walsh, the Maroons’ forward rotation, and the young Queensland debutants who will take plenty from the 2026 series.

A tough night at Suncorp.
A series lost.
But plenty for Queensland to build on heading into 2027.

#FOGS #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandMaroons #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #OriginDecider #SuncorpStadium #MattGillett #TrevorGillmeister

2026 State of Origin Game III Preview | Decider at Suncorp, Maroons Belief & Queensland Pride

It all comes down to this.

With the 2026 State of Origin Series locked at one-all, Queensland returns to Suncorp Stadium for a blockbuster Game III decider.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Mark Braybrook is joined by Moses Mbye, Wally Lewis and Matt Gillett to preview the biggest game of the series and break down what Queensland must do to lift the shield.

The panel discusses the confidence gained from Queensland’s Game II win in Melbourne, the return of Pat Carrigan and Jeremiah Nanai, the rise of Sam Walker, Max Plath and Jojo Fifita, and the possible role Reece Walsh could play off the bench.

They also take a closer look at the New South Wales changes, the kicking game battle between the Blues’ halves, Harry Grant’s influence around the ruck, and the key moments that could decide the Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.

A decider at Lang Park.
Queensland pride on the line.
And a series waiting to be won.

#FOGS #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandMaroons #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #SuncorpStadium #OriginDecider #Queenslander

In this special edition of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, we look back on Queensland’s emphatic 44–24 victory over New South Wales in Game II of the 2026 State of Origin Series at the MCG in Melbourne.

Joining host Mark Braybrook in the studio are two Maroons representatives, FOG #58 Michael Hancock and FOG #198 Moses Mbye as they break down all the key moments from a memorable night for the Maroons.

From Queensland’s dominant performance and standout players to the biggest talking points from the match, this episode delivers expert analysis, plenty of laughs, and the unique perspective of those who know what it takes to perform on Rugby League’s biggest stage.

#FOGS #QLDER #FOGSQueenslander #Podcast #StateOfOrigin #Origin2026 #GameII #QueenslandMaroons #MCG #Melbourne #MickHancock #MosesMbye #MarkBraybrook #OriginReview

In this special edition of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, we bring you a round table Origin preview ahead of Game II of the 2026 State of Origin Series, set to ignite the MCG this Wednesday night.

Joining host Mark Braybrook are three Maroons greats — Jharal Yow Yeh (FOG #172), Trevor Gillmeister (FOG #51), and Matt Gillett (FOG #173) — to break down what’s ahead in one of rugby league’s fiercest rivalries.

This is the ultimate pre-game hit of Origin energy, insight, and Queensland pride — all from legends who’ve been in the thick of it.

#FOGS #QLDER #FOGSQueenslander #Podcast #StateOfOrigin #Origin2026 #GameII #JharalYowYeh#TrevorGillmeister #MattGillett #MCG #QueenslandMaroons #MarkBraybrook