Ross Henrick

Ross Henrick weighed just 68kg when he made his Origin debut in 1981, but his small frame did not discourage him from taking on the defence, or tackling giant forwards. 

Henrick won a Brisbane premiership with Norths in 1980, scoring a try in the 17-15 win over favourites, Souths.

Earlier that year, he made his Queensland debut under the residential rules, and he played another two games under that format. Wynnum Manly's Terry Saunders was first choice halfback for the stand-alone Origin match in 1981, but failed the medical, and the selectors did not hesitate to call on Henrick to partner Wally Lewis in the halves, with Lewis playing at five-eighth, after he was lock in the inaugural Origin match.

Known as 'the Angry Ant', (Henrick was) a man who played well above his weight and, as the nickname implies, never took a backward step.

Steve Ricketts QRL historian

Henrick, a Norths junior, switched to Redcliffe in 1978, and was understudy to Test halfback, Greg Oliphant. Henrick moved from Norths to Valleys in 1983, and played two more Origin games.

Henrick became a successful coach in the Brisbane competition, guiding Valleys to three premierships in a row.

He spent six years as coach of Wavell State High School’s Opens side, helping to create elite pathways, with the likes of Greg Inglis and Ashley Harrison graduating from Wavell to Origin honours.

Henrick died from a heart attack in 2005, aged just 50.