Ep 58 Dan Stains

FOG #59 Dan Stains | Darling Downs Battler, Origin Maroon & Kangaroo Tourist

Dan Stains is FOG #59 — a proud Queenslander whose rugby league journey began on a dairy farm on the Darling Downs and carried him all the way to State of Origin and Australian representation. A tough, determined forward, Stains built a respected top-grade career across Australia and the UK through persistence, resilience, and belief.

Raised in rural Queensland, Dan’s early football came through Toowoomba Valleys before progressing into Queensland representative teams alongside future legends. After earning his opportunity at Cronulla, he played 190 first-grade games across Cronulla, Balmain, Halifax, and the London Broncos, becoming known as a reliable, hard-working professional in an unforgiving era of the game.

Dan represented Queensland in four State of Origin matches and earned the ultimate reward in 1989 when he was selected for the Australian tour of New Zealand — a defining moment that capped off a career built on earning every chance the hard way.

In this episode of the FOGS Queenslander Podcast, Dan reflects on:
 • Growing up on the Darling Downs and discovering rugby league late
 • Moving to Toowoomba and finding opportunity at Valleys
 • Early Queensland teams and the confidence they instilled
 • Fighting for a first-grade chance at Cronulla
 • Life under Jack Gibson and the demands of elite professionalism
 • Pulling on the Maroons jersey and handling Origin intensity
 • Being selected for the Australian tour of New Zealand
 • Playing club football in England and broadening his life experience
 • Lessons learned from mentors, coaches, and teammates
 • What it means to be remembered as a FOG

A genuine Queensland battler whose story reflects the grit, humility, and pride that define Maroon football.

#FOGS #DanStains #FOGSQueenslander #StateOfOrigin #QueenslandRugbyLeague #CronullaSharks #BalmainTigers #Kangaroos #QLDER