Willie Tonga

Canberra-born but a Queensland junior (from the Aboriginal settlement of Cherbourg) Willie Tonga could not cement a first grade position as a centre in his two seasons with P’matta before shifting to the Bulldogs in 2004. His good early season form – using his pace and strength to find the shortest way to the tryline – saw him called into Queensland’s second State of Origin team. A try-scorer on debut in the Maroons’ 22-18 win at Suncorp Stadium Tonga went on to top the Bulldogs’ try-scoring list that year with 18 tries in 27 matches. A member of the Bulldogs’ grand final-winning team he gained selection in Australia’s Tri Nations squad. Tonga stamped himself as the best centre in Australia when he played in all five Tests in England and scoring two tries in Australia’s 44-4 thrashing of Great Britain in the final. Injuries in both the 2005 and 2006 seasons limited his chances for further rep honours.