What makes a State of Origin player?
Peregian Beach writer, and life-long rugby league enthusiast, Robert Burgin set out to answer that question in Maroon Mentality, a book which explores the childhood factors which forged the resolve of all 203 Maroons players since 1980.
The book is equal parts sports history, psychology and sociopolitical commentary, providing an insight to the inspirations and tragedies behind each athlete.
While no two players’ stories are the same, Burgin did observe some common threads as he pieced together the gargantuan project.
“Unfortunately, I would say that experiences of grief at a young age were more prominent than within the wider population,” Burgin said.
“The loss of a parent before the age of 20, or a similarly traumatic experience like the permanent disability or incarceration of a family member, abandonment, adoption, or parental separation can all be found numerous times.
“But it’s not all doom-and-gloom and, indeed, a major reason for writing the book was to exhibit that no matter where people came from geographically, what their cultural background was, what their family’s social status was, these 203 player all overcame the challenges in front of them to reach a unified goal.”
Another reason for Burgin writing the book was in celebration of State of Origin’s 40th anniversary in 2020.
Aware that many players from Origin’s formative years were either past or approaching their 70th birthdays, the author wanted to capture the living history before it was too late.
“Touch wood, only four Queensland players have passed away in the last 40 years,” Burgin said.
“I was shocked when Terry Butler died and there seemed to be very little on record about his upbringing, what he was like as a person, what challenged him and drove him to greatness.
“I think it’s dehumanising to reduce the players to statistics about how many games they played and how many tries they scored.
“A big mission was making sure the stories of every single player were known, not just those of Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga, Allan Langer and Darren Lockyer.
“In fact, it was in these ‘lesser lights’ that many of the most evocative stories were found.”
Roughly 130 original interviews and more than 5000 reference materials were used in constructing Maroon Mentality.
Burgin traced some family trees back to the 1500s to tell certain players’ tales, while others players opened up about previously untold experiences that shaped their mindset.
On two occasions the author also unexpectedly discovered more about his own family tree as he sifted through archives.
“Most poignantly, I discovered a distant ancestor of mine wrote first-hand accounts of Indigenous massacres in the mid-to-late 1800s, including one massacre which directly related to the family of a player,” Burgin revealed.
“That’s one aspect you cannot overlook as you read through this book. Without wanting to ram it down people’s throats, the history of the Maroons cannot be fully appreciated without acknowledging they descend from many different cultures who were treated very differently.
“There are some very compelling individual stories in Maroon Mentality, but I think its most powerful aspect is when you place those stories side-by-side and read them collectively.
“The first half-dozen players alone reveal so many contradictions and polar experiences, with the amazing aspect being that the lure of a maroon jersey could set them all on the same path.”
Burgin also used the project as an opportunity to fill missing gaps and correct conflicting reports about where players grew up, what schools and clubs they represented, and the identities of those who raised them.
He discovered close to a dozen players who didn’t even play under their real name.
On top of sports articles and personal anecdotes, the author utilised academic studies about childhood skill development, about migration and language, true crime documentaries and school report cards to present a fascinating 360-degree view of Queensland’s Origin alumni.
“Like a lot of people who grew up in Australia, I had the childhood dream of being an Origin player and always wondered what separated us dreamers from those who actually achieved it,” Burgin said.
“What mantras did they fall back on when times got tough? What habits did they form in adolescence that put them ahead of the curve? What made them push that little bit harder?”
Maroon Mentality is published by Angel Key Publications and will be available for general sale from Saturday, August 8.
Burgin was previously an employee of the Queensland Rugby League and the Brisbane Broncos, and wrote for Rugby League Week magazine for 20 years.
Signed, advanced orders are available direct from the author at www.loxtonberg.com/shop
