Trevor Gillmeister

Brisbane Norths forward transferred to Easts in 1986 and forged a reputation as a fearless tackler. Known as ‘The Axe’, Gillmeister made his State of Origin debut in 1987 but returned home to play with the Broncos. He was rock-solid in the club's 1992 grand final win and played a fine attacking role in the Broncos' World Club Championship win that year. Gillmeister was a courageous performer in Brisbane's 1993 grand final win over St George but the Broncos had already made the decision to cut him from the club because of salary cap restrictions. He was snapped up by Penrith, where he gave good service, but was granted a release from the second year of his contract to sign with the South Queensland Crushers. Gillmeister scored the club's first try in a premiership match in the 24-8 loss to Canberra in the season opener at Suncorp Stadium and following the initial Super League war, captained Queensland to a 3-0 State of Origin win for close friend and coach Paul Vautin. Gillmeister battled a blood disorder to take his place in the third match of the series in Melbourne and was rushed back to hospital following the Maroons’ win. In 1995 he became the Crushers’ first and only Australian Test player when he was chosen as a reserve for the First Test against NZ. At 31 he was also the oldest forward in the history of the game to make his debut at Test level. In 1996 he captained his state in the opening State of Origin match but did not play in another match of the series and retired at the end of the year.