Origin's greatest big men

With arguably the most anticipated Origin decider of all time just days away we wanted to take a look back at some of the biggest, meanest, hardest men that have ever stomped into the cauldron.

These men all epitomised what we love about Origin; the passion, the determination, the sheer doggedness it requires to play up front in these brutal clashes.

All of them were champions. Just reading through this list and looking at these pictures should get your fired up for Wednesday.

Brad Clyde (NSW)

At the peak of his playing career, Clyde was the best lock forward in the game. His 12 appearances in the blue jersey were characterised by devastating charges and a tireless work ethic. Tall, strong and agile he was a nightmare to defend against and was a key member of the successful Blues sides of the early 1990s.

Glenn Lazarus (NSW)

Current Blues coach Ricky Stuart labelled him the “the best front-rower ever to play the game of rugby league”, and with his powerful and relentless charges, in his prime Lazarus was the first prop chosen for any New South Wales State of Origin side. He played 19 matches for New South Wales between 1989 and 1999, scoring two tries and is widely recognised as one of the best props of the modern era.

Paul Sironen (NSW)

He was known as “the beast” when he played in France and Sironen lived up to that name in 14 appearances for New South Wales. The prominent second-row forward made his State of Origin debut in Game One of the 1989 series and proudly wore the blue jersey until 1994, although he failed to score a single point in his State of Origin career.

Steve 'Blocker' Roach (NSW)

A true giant of the game, Roach’s immensely solid and stocky build made him a bull-like runner up the middle for the Blues. He possessed a pair of hands as large as anyone’s in the game and had excellent offloading skills that frequently gave team-mates tries or long breaks. Known for his aggressive approach and powerful running close to the rucks, Roach at his peak was possibly the number one prop in world rugby league. He made 17 appearances for New South Wales in State of Origin.

Paul Harragon (NSW)

Standing 193cm tall and weighing in at 111kg, Harragon cut an ominous figure on the State of Origin field. Making 20 consecutive appearances for New South Wales between Game One 1992 and Game Two 1998, the imposing Harragon is considered one of the toughest, most passionate men to ever play in the blue jersey. Best remembered for his defensive clashes with Queensland hard-man Trevor Gillmeister, Harragon was a devastating runner of the football, famous for throwing himself at the defensive line in fearsome displays of determination.

Tony Williams (NSW)

The Manly enforcer is almost certain to be unleashed on Queensland in next week’s decider and the 118kg monster forward will have the Maroons worried. One of the baby Blues, Williams made his State of Origin debut for NSW in game one of this year’s series at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium. With his ability to create doubt in the defensive line, he can be used as a decoy or he can slip a pass to his support, all while taking two or three defenders out of play. He will be a mainstay for the Blues for years to come.

Paul Gallen (NSW)

A self-confessed former grub, turned inspirational skipper of New South Wales Origin, Gallen was once dubbed the NRL’s most hated man. But when Ricky Stuart took over as New South Wales Origin coach last year, he had no hesitation naming Gallen as captain and in game two, Gallen played the entire 80 minutes, matched only by Glenn Lazarus in 1998. After turning in one of the greatest ever performances in the blue jersey last year, the 103kg prop carries the weight of New South Wales’ hopes and expectations on his broad shoulders.

Petero Civoniceva (QLD)

The oldest player in Origin history at 36, and with 30 State of Origin caps under his belt, Civoniceva is hardly a man to be messed with, at 193cm and 116kg. After announcing his retirement effective at the conclusion of the 2012 season, this will be his last appearance for Queensland.

Gordon Tallis (QLD)

Nicknamed the “Raging Bull” for his on-field aggression Tallis was known as the best second-row forward in the world. Tallis represented the Maroons 17 times and captained a rookie Queensland team in a 34–16 win over New South Wales in the opening match of the 2001 State of Origin series when he was named man-of-the-match. He is best known for a famous Origin tackle on Brett Hodgson in the deciding match of the 2002 State of Origin series when he dragged Hodgson several metres, eventually tossing him out of the field of play like a rag-doll.

Arthur Beetson (QLD)

Beetson is a Rugby League icon, frequently cited as the best post-war forward in Australian rugby league history. He possessed great strength and toughness, a surprising turn of speed for a big man and was unequalled as a ball player. His big frame, pure speed and brilliant ball skills were match-winning and although he represented Queensland just three times, his off-loading and attacking work-rate broke the mould for front rowers and changed the way they played the game.

Trevor Gillmeister (QLD)

In 22 Origin appearances for Queensland, Gillmeister was known as “The Axe” because of his punishing tackles. The second-rower defied his stature by hurting the Blues with stinging defence. He is remembered for his ongoing fiery attacking and defensive clashes with New South Wales hard-man Paul Harragon.

Martin Bella (QLD)

There was nothing flashy about Bella's style of play; head down and straight ahead as he made the first of his 21 State of Origin matches for Queensland in 1987. With fellow North Queenslander Sam Backo at his side, the duo provided a memorable rampaging display of front-row power to lead Queensland to a clean sweep of the 1988 Origin series before lining up again in 1989 with another awesome display up front.

Shane Webke

Ranked among legends like Lazarus and Beetson, Webke was renowned as the best front rowers in the world, representing Queensland on 21 occasions. He made his Origin debut in Game One of the 1998 series and named man-of-the-match in Game Three. From his debut until his retirement from representative football in 2004, no other player wore the number 8 for Queensland.

Join the conversation with former Origin stars Anthony Minichiello and Matt Ballin on FANGO during the game. The pair will be there for some friendly banter in what is arguably the biggest Origin clash in a decade. Get involved.

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