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

Joining host Mark Braybrook are three Maroons greats — Wally Lewis (FOG #9), 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 #GameI #WallyLewis #TrevorGillmeister #MattGillett #AccorStadium #QueenslandMaroons #MarkBraybrook

FOG #92 Jason Smith | Neville Nobodies, 1995 Glory & Queensland Pride

Jason Smith is FOG #92. A Brisbane product who came through Souths Woodridge and the Brisbane Easts pathway, Jason built a remarkable professional career on instinct, toughness and pure football ability.

A premiership winner with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 1995, Jason played 289 first grade games across an outstanding career with Canterbury, Parramatta, Hull F.C., Canberra and the North Queensland Cowboys. He also represented Queensland 16 times and Australia in 15 Tests, earning a reputation as one of the most naturally gifted footballers of his era.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Jason reflects on his upbringing in Woodridge, moving to Sydney as a teenager, making his State of Origin debut alongside his brother Darren, and the unforgettable 1995 Neville Nobodies series. He also opens up on the Super League era, the joy he found in simply playing footy, and why nothing ever topped pulling on the Queensland jersey and running out at Lang Park.

A footballer’s footballer.
And a proud Queenslander through and through.

#FOGS #JasonSmith #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #CanterburyBulldogs #ParramattaEels #Queenslander

FOG #105 Shane Webcke | Leyburn Roots, Broncos Dynasty & Relentless Work Ethic

Shane Webcke is FOG #105 — a Darling Downs product who became one of the toughest and most respected front rowers of his era. A one-club man with the Brisbane Broncos, Shane built a 254-game NRL career defined by consistency, resilience and an uncompromising work ethic, playing in four premiership-winning sides and earning multiple best and fairest honours.

A 21-game Queensland State of Origin representative and Australian Kangaroo, Shane’s journey was anything but conventional. He never made a Queensland junior side, with his first ever Queensland jersey coming at State of Origin level. From a country upbringing in Leyburn to the biggest stages in the game, his career was built on doing the work others wouldn’t and embracing the standards required to compete at the top.

A proud Queenslander who turned hard work into a career.

#FOGS #ShaneWebcke #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandRugbyLeague #BrisbaneBroncos #QLDER

FOG #47 Gary Belcher | Souths Magpie Champion & Raiders Premiership Fullback

Gary Belcher is FOG #47 — a Brisbane junior who rose from the Brisbane Rugby League competition to become one of the most dependable fullbacks of his era. A 16-game Queensland State of Origin representative and Australian Kangaroo, Gary played a key role during a golden period for both the Maroons and the Canberra Raiders.

Raised in Acacia Ridge and coming through the ranks with the Southern Suburbs Magpies, Gary helped Souths claim the 1985 Brisbane Rugby League premiership before taking his career to the national stage with the Canberra Raiders. What followed was one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, with Belcher playing in premiership-winning teams in 1989 and 1990 alongside legends such as Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley and Ricky Stuart.

Primarily a fullback — though he began his career in the centres — Gary built a reputation for safe hands, strong positional play and the ability to finish opportunities when they came his way. His performances earned him 16 appearances for Queensland and 15 Test matches for Australia, including Kangaroo tours during one of rugby league’s great eras.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Gary reflects on growing up in Brisbane, the strength of the Brisbane Rugby League competition, his move to Canberra, life inside the Raiders’ famous sides of the late ’80s and early ’90s, and the pride of representing Queensland during the formative years of modern State of Origin.

A proud Magpie, Raider and Queenslander.

#FOGS #GaryBelcher #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandRugbyLeague #CanberraRaiders #SouthsMagpies #Kangaroos #NRLHistory #QLDER

FOG #158 Nate Myles | Gordonvale Grit, 32 Origins & Maroon Medal Winner

Nate Myles is FOG #158 — a proud Far North Queenslander who built an outstanding 234-game NRL career on toughness, professionalism and an uncompromising team-first mindset. A 32-game Queensland State of Origin representative and Australian Kangaroo, Nate was a key figure through the Maroons’ eight-straight era and twice claimed the Ron McAuliffe Medal as Queensland’s best player in a series, then won the Wally Lewis Medal in 2012 as Player of the Series.

Raised in Gordonvale just south of Cairns, Nate’s journey took him from Southern Suburbs juniors to Sydney with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, then across stints with the Sydney Roosters, Gold Coast Titans, Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne Storm. Whether it was the grind of the early Sydney years, the pride of pulling on the Maroon jersey, or the standards that kept Queensland hungry at the top, Nate’s story is all heart, hard work and Queensland spirit.

A front-rower who never wanted a free ride and never expected one.

#FOGS #NateMyles #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandRugbyLeague #CanterburyBulldogs #SydneyRoosters #GoldCoastTitans #ManlySeaEagles #MelbourneStorm #Kangaroos #QLDER

FOG #84 Danny Moore | Townsville Talent, Manly Premiership & A Winner on Both Sides of the World

Danny Moore is FOG #84 — a Townsville product who carved out a terrific top-grade career across Australia and the UK as a powerful outside back. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative, Danny played at centre and on the wing in a tough era, earning his place through hard work, reliability and a quiet confidence.

He debuted in first grade for Manly in 1991, later becoming part of a Sea Eagles side that played in three straight grand finals and lifted the trophy in 1996. Danny then headed to England, winning again with Wigan and becoming the first player to win a grand final in both the northern and southern hemispheres. At representative level, he pulled on the Maroon jersey in Paul Vautin’s famed 1995 “Neville Nobodies” clean sweep and also earned Australian selection.

A proud Queenslander who never forgot where he came from.

#FOGS #DannyMoore #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandRugbyLeague #ManlySeaEagles #WiganWarriors #NorthQueenslandCowboys #Kangaroos #QLDER

FOG #64 Mark Coyne | Sunnybank Junior, Dragons Captain & The Miracle Try

Mark Coyne is FOG #64 — a Brisbane-born centre who built a remarkable career through loyalty, resilience and a deep love of the Maroon jersey. From junior footy at South Sunnybank to captaining the St George Dragons and later St George Illawarra, Coyney became one of the game’s most respected professionals in a tough era.

A premiership winner with Past Brothers in Brisbane before making the move south, Mark went on to play 233 top-grade games, including three grand finals, and earned the rare honour of captaining both Dragons entities. At representative level, he played 19 State of Origin matches for Queensland and nine Tests for Australia, including the 1995 World Cup triumph at Wembley.

Of course, he’s also etched into Origin folklore as the man who finished off the Miracle Try in 1994 — a moment that still gives Queenslanders goosebumps.

A proud Queenslander and a true Dragon who earned everything the hard way.

#FOGS #MarkCoyne #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandRugbyLeague #StGeorgeDragons #StGeorgeIllawarraDragons #Kangaroos #QLDER

FOG #59 Dan Stains | Darling Downs Battler, Origin Maroon & Kangaroo Tourist

Dan Stains is FOG #59 — a proud Queenslander whose rugby league journey began on a dairy farm on the Darling Downs and carried him all the way to State of Origin and Australian representation. A tough, determined forward, Stains built a respected top-grade career across Australia and the UK through persistence, resilience, and belief.

Raised in rural Queensland, Dan’s early football came through Toowoomba Valleys before progressing into Queensland representative teams alongside future legends. After earning his opportunity at Cronulla, he played 190 first-grade games across Cronulla, Balmain, Halifax, and the London Broncos, becoming known as a reliable, hard-working professional in an unforgiving era of the game.

Dan represented Queensland in four State of Origin matches and earned the ultimate reward in 1989 when he was selected for the Australian tour of New Zealand — a defining moment that capped off a career built on earning every chance the hard way.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Dan reflects on:
• Growing up on the Darling Downs and discovering rugby league late
• Moving to Toowoomba and finding opportunity at Valleys
• Early Queensland teams and the confidence they instilled
• Fighting for a first-grade chance at Cronulla
• Life under Jack Gibson and the demands of elite professionalism
• Pulling on the Maroons jersey and handling Origin intensity
• Being selected for the Australian tour of New Zealand
• Playing club football in England and broadening his life experience
• Lessons learned from mentors, coaches, and teammates
• What it means to be remembered as a FOG

A genuine Queensland battler whose story reflects the grit, humility, and pride that define Maroon football.

#FOGS #DanStains #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandRugbyLeague #CronullaSharks #BalmainTigers #Kangaroos #QLDER