Qualify Me : Gorden Tallis’ Career Leading Up To Qualify Me!

Qualify Me: When you think of iconic tackles in Rugby League, a couple of cinematic moments come to mind: Scott Sadler chasing down Todd Byrne in the 2003 Grand Final and Sonny Bill’s shoulder charge on Joel Clinton. But few hits compare to Gorden Tallis’ 2002 State Of Origin collar-grab on Brett Hodgson. The Queensland enforcer ragged-dolled the NSW fullback, dragging him by the shirt more than five meters towards the sideline. 

Fast forward nearly twenty years and Tallis is still one of the most respected personalities in the Rugby League community, this time as an expert commentator with Fox Sports and a columnist with The Courier-Mail. Nicknamed the “Raging Bull,” the former second-rower began his footy journey with the St George Dragons before moving north to the Brisbane Broncos. He scored 79 tries in 258 appearances across club, state and country in a career that lasted 12 years.

The fearless hardman also captained his country, took out the Clive Churchill Medal in the 1998 Grand final, and won three premierships at the Brisbane-based club. 

Gorden Tallis’ State of Origin career

Although the edge forward dominated opponents for the best part of a decade, much of Tallis’ heroics came during his State of Origin career. While he’s best known for the tackle that sent Hodgson over the sideline, the veteran also captained his side to three straight series wins from 2001 to 2003, leading a rookie Queensland Origin team to victory.

Tallis appeared 20 times for Queensland, including three outings during the Super League era. He captained the side on seven occasions and managed four tries. 

Tallis’ post-footy career

Two years after retiring in 2003, Tallis was nominated to the NRL Board and just three years later he was named in an Indigenous Australian Rugby League Team of the Century. His biggest honour, however, came in 2018 when he was inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame.

With most NRL careers barely lasting 15 years, even legends of the game worry about the longevity and what comes after retirement. For that reason, Tallis understands the importance of upskilling and choosing an occupation with a clear career trajectory. 

The NRL Legend has also given back to the community in his post-footy career. Along with his work at Qualify Me!, Tallis has become an ambassador for the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane while working with grassroots footy through the NRL Kids to Kangaroos initiative.

His reputation as an unflinching competitor has also attracted numerous offers to take part in charity boxing bouts. 

Tallis’ work ethic both on and off the field makes him a natural fit as an ambassador of our organisation.

Want to secure your future or consider a change of career path? Head to Qualify Me! to see how your current experience and previous learnings can translate into a more exciting profession.