I’m a loud and proud bull-tackling, croc-wrestling Rockhampton boy who loves his footy.
Although I did not make the NRL there are plenty of fellas that have and in their honour I’m going to do a countdown list for them.
For this list player must of been born or at least raised in Rocky to qualify. Any player that attended St Brendans in Yeppoon such as Matt Scott, PJ Marsh or Julian O’Neil will not qualify as they are not Rocky boys and Yeppon is not in Rocky.
Queensland and Aussie reps, grand final winners, it’s a complete list.
So with that, here is my list.
10 and 9. Kevin and Kerrod Walters
Doing research for my countdown lists I was surprised to learn that the Walters twins were born in the River City. Ok they were raised in Ipswich but their Birth Certificate states ‘place of birth Rockhampton’ so that is good enough for me.
Obviously not being raised in Rocky places them down the list otherwise the boys would be number one.
Between the pair they share two grand finals in ’92 and ’93 with the Broncos with Kevin winning the 1989 grand final with the Raiders and the 1997, 1998 and 2000 grand finals becoming the most successful man to ever play at the club.
Kerrod would move on the the Adelaide Rams in 1997. They both represented Queensland and Australia multiple times. They are the most successful brothers in league history.
8. Guy Williams
Now not many of you would heard of Guy and I would not be surprised. He only had five games with the Broncos in 2009. But he was a great player and a good mate (I played with him and his older brother in high school).
There were three Williams brothers, Dallas, Guy and the youngest brother Brent. All three fellas went to North Rocky high after moving from Gladstone and all three were great players but Guy was the only one to make the NRL. After he stint with the Broncos he returned home to the Central Queensland Comets then a year in french rugby then back home to captain the Capras. I saw his last game in 2015.
7. Ian Lacey
Another North Rocky boy Lacy was a little smart alec at high school who I had remind him of his manners once or twice. Despite his smart mouth he was a talented player for being so small. This talent would lead him to playing 23 games for the Brisbane Broncos in the 2006 and 2007 seasons. In 2008 he would play in in Indigenous Dreamtime team.
6. Cameron Munster
Still playing in the NRL currently, Munster was born and raised in Rocky. He would have his talent recognised at the Norths Knights.
From there he would make his way to the Central Queensland Capras and Easts Tigers in the Instrust Super Cup. As a feeder cup to the Melbourne Storm, the Storm would sign him in 2013 he would also win the Rookie of the year award in 2013.
With Billy Slater out, Munster would do the near impossible and successfully fill the boots of Slater and play fullback and make the 2016 grand final.
He would change to five-eighth after Slater’s return making the transition a success for the club. Watch this space for more of Munster.
(Flickr / NAPARAZZI)
5. John Doyle
Doyle would have two stints in the NRL but unfortunately have his career cut short due to knee problems. In 1997 Doyle debuted for the Cowboys and played 65 games for the and three Origins for Queensland playung alongside Allan Langer in his return in 2001.
He retired in 2002 but was brought back into the game but Origin Godfather Arthur Beetson playing for the Roosters. After only ten games he would again retire due to knee problems.
4. Ben Hunt
In 2009 Hunt debuted for the Brisbane Broncos. In his 174 games so far he has scored 39 tries and kick 25 goals to cement his place as the halfback for the club.
In 2015 he would play in the grand final against the Cowboys but drop the ball at the crucial moment that would cost the club the premiership.
Despite this he played well in 2016 and has now secured a multimillion dollar contract with the Dragons for the 2018 season. He has played three Tests for Australia so far.
3. Dave Taylor
Taylor has certainly done the rounds in his career. Playing at the Broncos, Rabbitohs, Titans, English Super League and now the Raiders, his career has been the spice of life.
Throughout his career Taylor would play eight Origins for Queensland and one Test for Australia in the second row position.
2. Rhys Wesser
Born and bred Rocky boy his talent was discovered while playing in high school playing at Emmuas College.
In 1998 he debuted for the Penrith Panthers and ended up playing 177 games for the club. He was a part of the 2003 premiership-winning team playing at fullback and is the only born and raised Rocky boy to win a title.
He would also play four Origins for Queensland. Despite his accomplishments in the game there is one fella that did more.
1. Matt Sing
The best player that Rocky has ever produced – so far. Sing was the best winger to come out of the River City and his record shows it. Over his 275-game career Sing would play for the Panthers, Roosters and the Cowboys.
He would play in the 2000 grand final for the Roosters and the 2005 grand final for the Cowboys but lose both. He would be a part of the 1995 3-0 whitewash of NSW and go on to play 24 Origins and 15 Tests for Australia.
No doubt he is my number one.
Do you agree with my list? Who is your favourite Rocky player? I would love to hear from people back home with your thoughts, surely I cant be the only Rocky person on this site.
Bodi Walters
Guest
Rocket Rod would be number 3 with Sing 2 Walters boys 4 and now Munster number 1 then Hunt and Taylor at 5 and 6 surely if you have worn the green and gold for Australia you would be ahead of Nrl club players.
dylan
Guest
jonothan thurstan :rugby
PJR
Guest
I figure that Rocky is formed by the region, the people and place. Duncan Hall is a legend among legends. He rates as a great from the region.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Hi Michelle, for reading four months after I wrote that article, nice to see that is still gets interest after a while. I also agree with Clarkey, I fought a heap of names, there are so many fellas that made lot from Rocky, two of the Rothery boys, Allan and Wade also made the NRL along with all the names that Darren mentioned. Justin Loumas is another along with that Jamie Simpson who works for HOTFM.
Michelle Eggmolesse
Guest
Agree with Darren Clarke, I know all these names as I grew up in that era and my father in law Dessy Eggmolesse coached many of them and my husband Brad Egg played along side and against them. Pleased to see many still involved in the game.
Darran Clarke
Roar Rookie
Doesn't anyone remember Sid Domic, Ashley Alberts(NRHS) Damian Gibson(Emmaus) Bert Tabuai, Justin Loomans(South Rocky High) Reggie Cressbrook Alfie Songoro(NRHS) the famous Cyril Connel, the extremely talented Graham White and the bloke Wayne Bennett said he would pick any day of the week before Wally Lewis if he wasn't such a terrible trainer... Paul Isles. The list goes on that people forget about. Darren Mapp(Brendan's) Neil Wyatt(Emmaus) and Benny Hunt can't be on your list because he's from Dingo... Also John Doyle was born in Townsville, I should know! I'm his 1st cousin
BigJ
Roar Guru
Iam currently working on a top ten athletes from Rocky so i feature Rod Reddy on that list along with a few others Meares, Tucker, dwyer and knowles. No second guesses for who will be number one though
BigJ
Roar Guru
Oneil was born in nsw and was bordered at St Brendans from 10 onwards so he does not count as he was never born or attended school in rocky
BigJ
Roar Guru
Guy was a good mate of mine so had to give him a mention but your completey right should of put the Rock in the list, fritzy to.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Taylor was born in Rocky who moved to blackwater as a child about ten i think and then was sent to brendans . I think i played with his brother or cousin Glenn in 1996.
Jimbo
Guest
Thought Guy Williams was lucky to get in over Reddy and Fritz, but I see your point. 'The Offload' did a very similar podcast recently, they're two Rocky sporting guys as well.
KBG
Guest
just did the wikipedia thing - reddy didn't play for nsw in either of the first two games (in non origin format) so surely injured? possibly suspended?
KBG
Guest
no argument it was towards the end of his career - he still had a stellar game in that first origin. i have no recollection as to why he did not play another origin. i can only think he was injured. he was still good enough to play in all three tests on the invincible tour. and with lewis moving to five/eight, our back three was hancock, phelan and a young paul mccabe (terrific player but i always thought his brother john was even better - just never got the chances as never left qld). can't imagine the selectors thought he was not good enough. these days, he would never have lasted with the suspensions/videos (but nor would boyd, price and a heap of others that were at that high level), but surely he would have modified his game - he certainly had the talent.
Jay
Roar Rookie
Julian Oneil?
Nat
Roar Guru
Hey BigJ, It's a little rough on the CQ fellas by claiming all those who happened to be born in Rocky. Plenty of CQ folks may have needed to go to Rocky to give birth. I thought Coaltrain was a Blackwater boy who went to Brendans? Matt Sing played his days in Dysart. If you expanded the list to CQ (inc Brendans IF we have too) you could make up a very quality list. Bell, Norton, Schifcofski, Hannay...
BigJ
Roar Guru
No doubt but as i said the Walters brothers were only born in Rocky not raised there so that makes down the list as they were raised in Ipswich. There talents were made and discovered in Ipswich not rocky. I did state that in the paragraph. My two eldest daughters were born in Geelong but i would never consider them Victorians.
Braintrust
Guest
Reddy lazed off in the 80's, even in 79 he wasn't at the level he was in the previous years. He was picked for the Kangaroos tour of 1982 even though he only played in the one off 1980 State of origin. Certainly had full set of skills, he could offload in the tackle, he was a master of the dummy, he could put players through gaps, and he could do it all in his early to mid 20's but then he just lazed off and wouldn't get involved as much. The other issue is the dirty side of his play with all the cameras these days particularly his biting would be getting him suspended.
ehx
Guest
weird order of that top 10 for sure... there is no way hunt or munster were better than either of the walters twins.
BigJ
Roar Guru
just read that, that is gold, what idiot wrote that!!!! I know that Minto work for the Win Network in Rocky and must of made some media connections, but damn that article was ridicolus
KBG
Guest
thanks for jogging the memory. i was quite young when he was running around so did not see nearly as much of him as i would have wished but he remains one of the very best i ever saw. some things stick with you when you are young and one of those was the kangaroos v the poms. we'd beaten them well and it was about the last play of the game. the k'roos burst through and reddy headed off downfield. as he reached the fullback, he passed to support and away they went for another try. but the fullback ironed reddy out. absolutely flattened him with an elbow or stiff arm to the head. had to be helped off. and in those days, nothing done at all. as a kid, i was of course outraged that a pom had done this to one of our heroes. next tour was about 3-4 years later, i think. reddy was playing and their fullback, apols but i forget his name, was also playing. i still remembered the stiff arm but i doubted anyone else did. first time the fullback took it up, a few aussies, including reddy, went in for the tackle. could not really see what happened and replays much rarer in those days. they carried the fullback off, unconscious - it really was a different game. i had always assumed it was just a nice coincidence but i mentioned this to the old saints player who had played with him for quite a few years. he just laughed and said, no way. rod would have stored it away and waited for his chance. and he didn't miss it.