Gorden Tallis

The man they call ‘Raging Bull’ was a noted enforcer and a dominant presence on the field.

He grew up in Townsville, where his father, Wally played for Centrals. Wally also captained the first Indigenous team to tour overseas – a 1973 trip to New Zealand.

Gorden signed with St George in Sydney after he was recommended to the club by Rod Reddy, who had finished his Australian career in Townsville.

Tallis played for New South Wales Under 19s in 1992, and that same year played in the Dragons under 21 side, in their grand final loss to Wests.

In 1993, Tallis played for the National Youth Squad against Australian Schoolboys, and came off the bench in St George's 14-6 loss to the Broncos in the grand final.

He made his State of Origin debut in Game II of the 1994 series at the MCG. He retained his spot for the decider, which NSW won 27-12, but had to wait four years for another chance, because of his stance during the ‘Super League War’.

Tallis played out the 1995 season with St George, and then sat out the 1996 season, following a contract wrangle with the Dragons. He joined the Broncos in 1997 and was part of their Super League grand final winning side.

He then toured England with the Super League Australian side. In the inaugural NRL season, in 1998, Tallis won the Clive Churchill Medal as Player of the Match in the Broncos' grand final triumph over Canterbury-Bankstown.

He also returned to the Origin arena and by the time he retired in 2004, had represented his State 17 times, seven times as captain.

He also captained Australia twice during a 13 Test career.

He played three Super League Tests against Great Britain as well.

Wally Lewis was coach and our captain was Mal Meninga. Two of my absolute heroes. I could barely believe I was in the same dressing room.

Gorden Tallis FOG #82

After winning a third premiership with the Broncos in 2000, he was the club's captain in 2001 when disaster struck in a match against Northern Eagles in Brisbane.

Tallis was badly injured when he slipped on the wet surface, his jaw coming into contact with a rival's jaw. Tallis required spinal fusion surgery, and there were doubts about his playing future.

But he returned to football in 2002, and played three more Tests and six more Origin matches.

In 2001, he suffered a neck injury that revealed a spinal condition which required an operation. However, he was able to continue playing with a neck brace (much like fellow Queenslander Brent Tate); but the condition ultimately led to his retirement in 2004.

In retirement, he has forged a successful career in the media - in print, television and radio. He also has served as an NRL Board member.