Shaun Berrigan

Shaun Berrigan played his junior rugby league as a lock at Arana Hills, and thanks to recruitment guru, Cyril Connell was a Broncos' scholarship holder at 15, when he was chosen at halfback in the Queensland Under 17 team, in 1995.

Berrigan played reserve grade for Brisbane in the 1997 Super League season, under Ivan Henjak. Berrigan made his NRL debut, off the bench, against Balmain in round 11, 1999, playing at centre.

The versatile playmaker didn't look back after that. He was named Broncos' Most Improved in 1999, and the following year played 23 games, including the grand final win over the Roosters, when he came off the bench and played five-eighth. In 2006 Berrigan was the Clive Churchill Medal Winner in the Broncos' shock win over Melbourne in the grand final.

Berrigan dedicated the award to older brother, Barry, who had been forced into retirement earlier, in the year because of a neck injury. Shaun made his Origin debut in 2002 and went on to play 15 matches for his state. He made his Test debut two years later, and played 14 times for Australia.

In his first Origin series he played five-eighth; in the second he was halfback, and in his third, a centre. He was an interchange player in the other two series, training at hooker all week, but then playing second row, when called into the action.

Berrigan was most comfortable at lock, but Australian coach, Wayne Bennett used him in the centres in the Kangaroos' triumphant Tri-series campaign in Britain in 2004. Berrigan had played 186 first grade matches by the time he called time at the Broncos in 2007, scoring 77 tries.

I'm just one of those guys who loves playing rugby league and I'm happy anywhere the coach puts me.

Shaun Berrigan FOG #129

In 2008, Berrigan went to England and played three seasons with Hull FC, with a Wembley Challenge Cup Final appearance.

Berrigan played for New Zealand Warriors in 2011, and then had two seasons with Canberra, the club he followed as a boy.

The father of four daughters, he has been involved in the mining industry since his retirement.