ABOUT THIS EPISODE
FOG #36 Brad Tessmann | Kingaroy Roots, Origin Glory & The Missing Jersey
Brad Tessmann is FOG #36.
Born in Kingaroy, Brad grew up working on the family farm before making his mark in Rugby League with the Kingaroy Red Ants. In 1978, he captained the Queensland Under-18 side alongside future Origin greats Mal Meninga and Brian Niebling, setting the foundations for a remarkable representative career.
A proud Queenslander, Brad went on to play five State of Origin matches for the Maroons between 1983 and 1986, making his debut in Game One of the 1983 series at Lang Park. That same year, he represented Australia against New Zealand in his only Test appearance, famously wearing the number 17 jersey after his original number 13 went missing.
In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Brad reflects on growing up in Kingaroy, playing against older boys in junior Rugby League, captaining Queensland as a teenager, and making the move to Brisbane to join the Souths Magpies.
He also shares memories of the early days of State of Origin, receiving the call-up to represent Queensland, playing alongside legends of the game, and the journey that took him from Souths and Redcliffe to the Eastern Suburbs Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos in their inaugural season of 1988.
From the unforgettable story behind his missing Australian Test jersey to representing Oceania against France in Paris, Brad looks back on the coaches, teammates and experiences that shaped his career.
From a farm in Kingaroy to Lang Park, the Australian Test arena and the Rugby League fields of Paris.
A boy from the bush. A proud Queenslander. And a remarkable Rugby League journey.
#FOGS #BradTessmann #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandMaroons #QueenslandRugbyLeague #NRL #BrisbaneBroncos #SouthsMagpies #SydneyRoosters #Kingaroy #Queenslander
