Sam Thaiday

A one-club player, Sydney born, Sam Thaiday seemed destined to sign with North Queensland Cowboys, given he was a Townsville Brothers junior and attended Kirwan High, a rugby league hotbed closely associated with the club.

At Kirwan, Thaiday excelled at a number of sports, and was a valued member of the athletics team. Thaiday signed with the Brisbane Broncos at the end of the 2002 season and made his NRL debut for the club in 2003, although in those first few years he spent much of his time at Queensland Cup affiliate, Toowoomba.

He made his Origin debut in Game I, 2006 and went on to play 29 matches for his State, being part of 10 series wins in 11 campaigns.

I’m definitely one of the lucky ones who has turned a fun game I played as a kid into a job I love as an adult.

Sam Thaiday FOG #157

The 2006 season was huge for Thaiday, who also played in the Broncos grand final win over Melbourne Storm, and then represented Australia in the Tri-Nations.

In 2008, Thaiday was named in the Indigenous Team of the Century, alongside fellow Queensland Maroons' legends Arthur Beetson, Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis, Steve Renouf, Dale Shearer, Gorden Tallis and Sam Backo. He went on to represent the Indigenous All Stars three times.

Thaiday was appointed Broncos' captain after the retirement of Darren Lockyer in 2011, but relinquished the role at the start of the 2014 season, saying he played his best football when he didn't have the added responsibility. He was a crowd favourite throughout his career, with a larger-than-life personality and a fearless approach to his football. He was a copybook defender, with an aggressive streak; an elusive runner with deceptive speed; and possessed natural ball skills.

Thaiday won the Paul Morgan Medal as Broncos' Best Player in 2008, and was named Dally M Second Rower of the Year in 2010 and 2011. 

In 2018, after 304 NRL appearances for the Broncos, Thaiday announced his retirement.

In 2019, he joined the Origin coaching staff, working with the forwards, through the Queensland Academy of Sport Youth Program. He also made a brief comeback to play for Albany Creek Crushers in the Brisbane Second Division.

Thaiday is as well known for his community work, as his football, and in 2011 was awarded the Ken Stephen Medal, for his work off the field. He also is an ambassador for the Starlight Foundation. An accomplished media performer, he is a commentator / analyst for Channel 9 and works in radio. Thaiday has also written several children's books, and loves to sing and compose songs.