Maroons head trainer Barra epitome of Queensland spirit

Humble, hard-working Queensland Maroons head trainer Matt Barradeen is this year's recipient of the FOGS Peter Jackson Memorial Award.

The award is for the person in camp who makes the greatest contribution and exhibits what the Queensland spirit is all about. 

Barradeen - or Barra, as he is more affectionately known - works tirelessly behind the scenes to help ensure Maroons camps run as smoothly as possible, often going above and beyond.

Barra first worked in Maroons camp in 2011 and 2012, then got called back in 2019 and has been a vital cog in the Maroons machine since.

Balls pumped to the correct PSI; Barra is all over it. Players remaining hydrated during training and games; Barra is all over it. Speaker sorted and excellent play list on; Barra is all over it. Game day sustenance, including an excellent lolly selection; Barra is all over it.

Whilst these tasks are not even the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Barra’s contribution in camps, they highlight some of the smaller things he does that mean so much.

Barra was presented the jersey by Wally Lewis at the QRL Awards on Friday.

Fitting as the award is a tribute to Former Origin Great Peter Jackson, who played 16 games for the Maroons; the most famous was when he stepped into five-eighth for an injured Lewis in Sydney in 1988 to inspire Queensland to an against-the-odds win.

​As the FOGS put it, “Jackson was a fiercely proud Queenslander and an inspirational player who put the team ahead of everything else”.

Barra, at the Brisbane Broncos now but was previously at Melbourne Storm, said Slater told him the choice to give it to him was simple.

“I'm blown away and speechless,” Barra said.

“Billy gave me a ring to let me know. It was funny, he was a bit hesitant to say, so I actually thought I was getting the flick… but when he said I was getting it, I couldn't speak because I just love doing what I do and there's so many other people you work with, who work so hard around you, that make it easy for you to work hard.

“Billy's biggest thing was there wasn't too much hesitation when they spoke about what the award is actually for. Just the fact that my work ethic and the hard work I do behind the scenes, and late at night, doesn't go unnoticed. 

“It was just a massive surprise. At the same time, it's a very proud achievement because when I got home and told my kids, they were absolutely stoked for me.”

The Ipswich product, visibly chuffed, said it was so nice to get the call from Slater, who he worked with at Storm, noting it was a conversation with Slater years ago that made him comfortable working without accolades.

“It’s funny. When he was playing, when I was at the Storm, I was strapping him one day and he actually said to me... he goes, ‘Barra, you do 1000 jobs and you get 999 of them right and you stuff one up for one person and they blow up’. He goes ‘you do so much’… it was probably that conversation that made me comfortable that I didn't need accolades to know that people appreciate what I do and know what I do contributes,” Barra said.

“It's quite often the players, they don't say anything but they notice the hard work that you do for them, which makes their job a lot easier.

“My biggest thing is if only one person has to stress about something then the rest can get on with their jobs… that one person should be me.”

And there in lies why Barra received the award.

Reflecting on his time with the Maroons, Barra said his favourite year was 2020 when the entire squad and staff was bubbled for more than one month during COVID times and played the games in November.

“The bubble Origin was outstanding… it was a good bunch of blokes who just wanted to be there… really good bunch of blokes who were keen and excited to play for their state,” Barra said.

“Game wise I don't think you can go past Dozer's intercept. It was pretty outstanding and my kids were lucky enough to be ball kids for that one. If you watch the footage, you seen them running up the sideline cheering him on… that was pretty special.”

Noting the Hostplus Cup grand final between Redcliffe Dolphins and Norths Devils is this weekend, it should be noted Josh Kerr, playing for the Dolphins, received the FOGS Peter Jackson Memorial Award following the 2020 series in the bubble.

“He was an absolute vibe. Showed me the masterclass of Wayne too, he teed up with Josh to keep energy up... master stroke,” Barra said.

“Love the big freaky boy, he's a good bloke, and I'm glad to be part of that now too.”