Kevin Campion

Growing up at Sarina, Kevin Campion had followed the progress of local heroes, Martin Bella and Dale Shearer.

Campion went on to represent Queensland, and Ireland, in a distinguished career, which saw him play club football for Gold Coast Seagulls, St George Dragons, Adelaide Rams, Brisbane Broncos, New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys.

Fellow North Queenslander, Grant Bell signed Campion for Gold Coast Seagulls in 1992, and Campion roomed with another future Origin star, Jamie Goddard.

Campion signed with St George in 1996 and played second row in their grand final loss to Manly. He played for Adelaide in Super League in 1997, and also represented Queensland in the Tri-series, striking up a relationship with coach, Wayne Bennett, who signed him for the Broncos the following year.

Campion came off the bench and scored a try in the Broncos win over Canterbury in the 1998 NRL grand final, and started at lock in the 2000 decider, in which Brisbane beat the Roosters 14-6.

Campion was selected for Ireland under the grandparent rule and played in the 2000 World Cup, helping the Irish to the quarter finals. He signed with the Warriors in 2001 and was appointed co-captain along with Stacey Jones.

You watch that old footage of Artie running out onto Lang Park and Queensland getting away with a convincing win. It was just unbelievable.

Kevin Campion FOG #121

Campion made his Origin debut at hooker in 2001, playing all three games in the series win, under the coaching of Bennett, coming off the bench in the decider. He played hooker in Game I of the 2002 series. Campion played lock in the Warriors' 2002 grand final loss to the Roosters.

It was fitting that Campion should finish his club career in North Queensland with the Cowboys given he had represented Mackay in the Foley Shield as a 19-year-old.

In 2005, Campion and Tony Kemp were assistant coaches to Ivan Cleary at the Warriors.

University-educated Campion has worked extensively in real estate and human resources.