Toowoomba's Bob Bateman was Queensland team co-manager during one of the Queensland Maroons' most dominant periods in State of Origin rugby league.
Bateman joined legendary official Dick 'Tosser' Turner on the Queensland management staff in 1987 when Wayne Bennett was in his second year as coach.
The previous year, Queensland had lost all three matches by narrow margins, as New South Wales swept to their first ever clean sweep.
Things started poorly again in 1987, with a loss in the first game. But the Maroons rebounded to win the next two games and the series.
With Bennett again at the helm in 1988, Bateman and Turner remained as managers and Queensland won all three games for their first clean sweep.
The likes of Allan Langer, Trevor Gillmeister and Sam Backo made their Origin debuts during the reign of Bennett, Bateman and Turner.
Bateman was known as an amiable, hard-working manager, who perfectly complemented the enigmatic Turner.
Bateman was synonymous with rugby league on the Darling Downs, and was a Life Member of Southern Suburbs, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Sports Ground Trust, South West Division and Toowoomba Rugby League. Bateman also served as a QRL director.
A member of the Men of League Foundation, Bob Bateman died on the Sunshine Coast on December 8, aged 85.
Main image: Bob Bateman (right) and co-manager, Dick Turner flank skipper, Wally Lewis in the 1987 Queensland State of Origin side. Photo: Supplied
