With the strong possibility of Mal Meninga being appointed as the inaugural coach of the incoming Perth Bears, (as well as it being Origin season) I am reminded of the strong connection between the 1980s/90s North Sydney Bears and Queensland.

For the record, I am a Bears fan and a New South Welshman but I can’t deny the great contributions of these Maroons to the mighty red and black grizzlies.

So without further ado, here is my team list for retro Bears who hailed from north of the border.

1. Kerry Boustead – legend of the game, had to put him at fullback because we have two other great wingers.

2. Brett Dallas – blinding speed, put him in space and as Rabbs would say, “put down the glasses”.

3. Ben Ikin – part of Origin folklore from being a “Neville Nobody” to a class act, followed by a successful media and sports admin career.

4. Brett French – a lesser-known figure in the Queensland Origin sides of the 1980s, also a Bears stalwart during that time.

5. Les Kiss – also a member of the 1980s Maroons sides, you gotta be special to be a Kangaroo and then become Wallabies coach.

6. Peter Jackson – (RIP) Larrikin, Legend and sorely missed by all – he would have had a sparkling media career if tragedy had not struck.

7. Noel Solomon – (RIP) a toiler for the Bears, had his best season in 1993 appearing in 21 premiership matches.

8. Martin Bella – the fearsome “Munster”, did you know he’s a physiotherapist as well as a Councillor for Mackay Regional Council?

Billy Moore playing for Queensland in 1997.

9. Tony Rea – the Bears’ long-serving captain during some of our leanest years before bringing us to our early 90s success.

10. Tony Hearn – another of Fatty’s 95 Origin series winners, a big barnstormer.

11. Ian French – brother of Brett, played for the Bears in the late 80s, also a Brisbane premiership Rothmans Medal winner.

12. Gary Larson – one of the greatest Bears of all time, “Sven” was a tackling machine, sound in attack and still revered by all.

13. Billy Moore – another Bears GOAT with his spirit, strength and love for the club written all over his face and his heart.

14. Jamie Goddard – Queensland hooker famous for his punch-up with Joey Johns in Origin.

15. Gavin Jones – the big man was a threatening presence whenever on the field.

16. Darren Fritz – a giant of a man, if he was running at you I’d imagine you might run the other way.

17. Kelly Egan – current CEO of Clubs Queensland. I remember he came to give a talk to my primary school while he was a Bear in the early 90s.

18th Man: Gary Smith – Origin rep whose last Bears game was the victorious 1992 reserve grade grand final.

So there you have it, a pretty damn good side if you ask me. If I have omitted anyone unwittingly please add a comment.

Don’t forget to be kind, I am a long-suffering Bears supporter after all!

Cheers to the Red & Black and the Den!