Cattledog call gets Blues barking

IT was the return of the Cattledog.

NSW legend Tommy Raudonikis was drafted into the Blues camp for a special jumper presentation at the team’s Brisbane hotel.

Raudonikis, a former NSW skipper and coach, also gave a short motivational talk and left players captivated with his no-nonsense demeanour.

Raudonikis, 68, captained NSW in the very first State of Origin game in 1980 and coached the Blues to series wins in 1997 and 1998.

It was during his Blues coaching reign when Raudonikis made famous the “cattledog” call — designed to ignite a scrum brawl.

It was that call which resulted in rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns being floored by Queensland hooker Jamie Goddard — twice.

Raudonikis, who lives on the Gold Coast, described the jumper presentation and speech as “a great honour.”

“When I wasn’t coaching you don’t hear from blokes, especially in rep football,” Raudonikis said. “Nobody asked for my opinion or anything.

“Freddy [Fittler] is the first one. I feel fantastic, I really do. I am very humbled. It’s no wonder Freddy has his side going well.

“I gave my all for NSW, so this means a lot to me.

“I am very, very proud and I think we have a wonderful team. Freddy has picked the right team. Everyone has a part to play in this great game of rugby league — people shouldn’t be forgotten.”

Asked would “cattledog” make a return at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night, Raudonikis said: “It would be nice to see the cattledog back, but I don’t think so.”

NSW players were introduced to Raudonikis inside a private room at the Stamford Hotel, where he spoke with his usual inspiration and pride and then, one-by-one, he handed out the jumpers.