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At 32 years young, Bulldogs ‘Mr Fix It’ Kurt Mann has been called up to live his childhood dream of representing the Queensland Maroons.
Selected in the No.14 jersey by coach Billy Slater, Mann has made a name for himself this season performing a key utility bench role at the Bulldogs and knows he can fill in wherever needed come Wednesday night
“Probably when I first come into first grade, wasn't so important, but with all the rule changes and the speed of the game, the injuries now, that role’s started to become a really valuable role there,” Mann said.
“You can really make an impact in the game …
“I've actually started a game in every position bar front row (but) I've played a little bit of front row as well, a couple of weeks back against the Roosters.
“I played front row for about 20 minutes, so not the biggest front rower and pretty glad they didn't kick off to me as well.
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The Milestone Mann
“But I'm confident I've played enough footy now that I think I could get the job done or do a job regardless wherever they put me.
“A lot of people that come into the Queensland Origin side, usually start wearing that 14, especially in the spine, in 6 or 7, 9, so the calibre of players that have worn it, it's a jersey that I hold in really high esteem.
“It's a jersey to represent my state and my family back home and my community where I grew up.”
Hailing from the tiny outback Queensland of Winton, 1353 km from Brisbane with a population of just over 1000 residents, Mann said it would be “massive” news in his home town who would rally to support him.
“When they found out I was 18th man for the last game they – there's a big water tower in town and it's usually white – but they turned all maroon,” Mann said.
“I don't know how they managed that, so I think it'll be it'd be a pretty good atmosphere in Winton this week.”
Mann is not the only player to make the journey from small outback town to the Maroons, with versatile Warrior Kurt Capewell recalled by Slater into the second row.
Noted for his ability to also play in the centres, the Charleville born Capewell’s experience and never-give-up attitude have been highly valued by the New Zealand team this season as they have found winning form.
“That's massive,” Capewell said of how well the Warriors have been travelling.
“Obviously I wouldn't be here without my teammates back at the Warriors and how well they are playing.
“Makes it easier to play well when you're playing a good team.”
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Origin Audition: Kurt Capewell
Like Mann, Capewell is celebrated as a home grown hero in where he grew up, with the town renaming Charleville to Kurtsville when he made his 2020 debut.
This time around, Capewell wasn’t expecting quite the same grand gesture, but knew he would have plenty of support from the region.
“Everyone in Charleville love it when I get a call-up,” Capewell said.
“It is something the town is really proud of, plenty of them will be travelling.
“A shoutout to everyone in Charleville and thanks for all the support.
“Any time I get to represent Charleville I love it and to do it in a Maroons jersey means a lot to me and the family.”
Ironically, the Capewell and Mann families are also interconnected, providing the outback duo with another bond.
“It's a great achievement from Kurt,” Capewell said of Mann’s impending debut.
“I have known him outside of footy. Our families are linked through my brother.
“It is hard to make it from regional Queensland and to see where he has come from and what he is able to do is an awesome achievement for him and his family.”
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 2 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
