Billy Moore is the first to admit he has been dining out on the “Queenslander” legend for two decades.
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The former State of Origin guest after dinner speaker at the OME (Outback Marketing Events) and Manup! Boys Night Out in Cloncurry on Saturday regaled the crowd with tales of his playing days but it was the story of the famous chant that everyone wanted to hear.
“Playing state of Origin was all I ever wanted to do,” Moore said.
He played State of Origin from 1992 to 1995 but it was the last series where his reputation was made.
New South Wales were heavy favourites to win that series against Queensland minus their stars who were ineligible because they contracted to play Superleague.
But in the first game Queensland produced a superb defensive performance to hold NSW out and win by the soccer-like scoreline of 2-0 with the players pumped up by the cry of “Queenslander”
“Before game 2 (NSW coach) Phil Gould said to his players if anyone says Queenslander I want you to hit him,” Moore said.
But one of the players told “Fatty” Vautin and the word got through to the Queensland dressing room.
““Gary Larson and I whipped the team into a frenzy. Everyone was screaming out "Queenslander!,” he said.
“We walked down the tunnel and the greatest thing that ever took place in my career happened – everyone shut up but me.”
Moore also told the story of how he used to train in the boxing ring with coach Johnny Lewis and ended up going six rounds then world champion Jeff Fenech because no-one else would.
Moore also said he was born in Tenterfield, NSW (the nearest hospital to Wallangarra where they lived) but insisted his mother rushed him back into Queensland before he could inhale any polluted air.
Moore was a funny speaker in a night that had a serious message.
The Manup! organisation is devoted to the fight against prostate cancer which kills one in five men in Queensland.
Co-organisers OME said they were delighted with the turn-out of 112 people.
“The charity auction alone raised $15,150,” said OME’s Hilary Simmons.
“The profits from the night will go to Manup!”.