Martin Bella

A never-say-die prop for the Maroons in eight Origin campaigns, Martin Bella was renowned for his fearless charges into the defensive line.

Bella was a Queensland and Australia Under 18 representative, who played for Sarina in the Mackay competition and represented Mackay in the Foley Shield, and North Queensland in the state league, before joining Easts Tigers in Brisbane in 1983.

That same year, he toured Papua New Guinea with the Arthur Beetson coached Queensland Residents' team.

Bella spent three seasons at Langlands Park, squeezing in one off-season stint with Halifax in England.

He was a member of Easts' first grade squad in 1983, but did not play in the grand final, when the Tigers beat Redcliffe 14-6.

Bella joined North Sydney in 1986, before switching to their bitter rivals, Manly-Warringah in 1990.

Prop Martin Bella: The ultimate go-forward man.

Roy Masters Rugby league journalist

Bella toured Britain and France with the Kangaroos in 1986, and made his Origin debut the following year, going on to win two man of the match awards in his 21 games for the Maroons.

He made his Test debut against Great Britain in 1988, and went on to play another eight Tests, as well as touring New Zealand in 1989; Britain and France in 1990 and Papua New Guinea in 1991.

Bella signed with Canterbury-Bankstown in 1993, and played in their 1994 grand final loss to Canberra.

He returned to North Queensland as an inaugural Cowboys' signing in 1995, but finished his club career with Gold Coast Chargers in 1996-1997, helping the club to the finals in 1997.

A physiotherapist, he returned to life on the land in North Queensland, and has dabbled in politics.

His younger brother, Steve, toured France with Queensland Residents in 1989.