Mike McLean

While the Queensland port of Bowen is renowned as the setting for the Baz Luhrmann movie, 'Australia', it is also highly regarded as a rugby league stronghold, and is the home town of former State of Origin forward, Mike McLean, whose family roots go back to the old Port Denison club in Bowen.

A tall, athletic back-rower, McLean was as a Bowen Brothers' junior, and represented Whitsundays in the Foley Shield, before joining Easts Tigers in Brisbane, where he was part of a dynamic young pack.

Sydney's Eastern Suburbs signed him in 1985, as part of a buying spree, which coincided with the return of Arthur Beetson to the club, after four campaigns as Queensland Origin coach.

McLean played six seasons with the Roosters, and rates Beetson the biggest influence on his career, even though he didn't play under 'Artie' at Origin level.

In fact, when McLean made his Origin debut in 1991, it was from the Newcastle Knights, and the Queensland coach was New Zealander, Graham Lowe.

That third game, you felt the crowd was pushing you down the oval.

Mike McLean featured in ‘Heartland: How Rugby League Explains Queensland

McLean played second row, alongside Andrew Gee, in all three games in 1991, a series which saw legendary skipper, Wally Lewis bow out a winner.

McLean signed with Tweed Heads based Gold Coast Seagulls in 1992, to play under captain-coach, Lewis, winning two more Queensland caps.

McLean played the 1992-93 off-season with English club, Halifax, firstly under Roger Millward, and then under another British legend, Mal Reilly. He played 21 games in a long season, but persistent knee problems brought to an end, a distinguished career.

McLean returned to Bowen, where he took over the family hotel and continued to be involved with the local rugby league community, which boasts a thriving junior club.