Footy legend Gorden Tallis opens up about decking a rival player and fighting nightclub bouncers over a disgraceful remark about his sister

Queensland footy legend Gorden Tallis has opened up about the time he got into a fight in a Gold Coast nightclub after a rival player made an offensive comment about his sister.

Tallis, who played 214 first-grade  games for St George and Brisbane between 1992-2004, wasn’t one to back down from a confrontation on or off the field.

The man affectionately known as ‘The Raging Bull’ has recounted the time things really kicked off when he was in a Gold Coast nightclub in 1995.

Tallis was drinking beer with his sister and Dragons teammates Nathan Brown, Luke Felsch, Tony Grimaldi when a player from another footy team approached him.

‘One of the guys comes up and says “Oh mate – what about the sheila Browny is trying to pick up. Isn’t she a bit big?”‘ Tallis told Backstage with Cooper and Matty Johns.

‘I said “That’s my sister. Don’t say that!”‘

‘A few other boys came over and he said (to the other players) “Don’t say anything about old love” – but he was a bit more cutting than that…’

‘So I turned and I hit him, crunch, he goes down. And then all the bouncers come over and we’re into it.’

Tallis explained that his Dragons teammate Luke Felsch was soon getting choked out by a bouncer while Tony Grimaldi was putting the player he’d knocked out into a recovery position. 

His fellow Dragon Nathan Brown – who later went on to coach the team – had taken off because he didn’t like fighting.

Tallis was outnumbered and the situation looked dire when in stepped NRL great Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach, who had recently retired from the game.

‘A bloke comes over from the bar and takes his watch off. His name was Blocker Roach. He goes, “Are you OK? I just heard what happened. Do you need backup?”‘

Tallis has recently made headlines for his public criticism of Michael Maguire’s appointment as coach of the Broncos.

The former Queensland Origin and Kangaroos forward has slammed the decision, and reportedly had an awkward encounter with Madge on grand final day at Accor Stadium this year.

‘He said, “G’day mate,” and shook my hand and he said, “We should catch up for a coffee”,’ Tallis said.

‘I told him, “I don’t drink coffee”.

‘I don’t need to be friends with any coach. I never caught up with Kevvie [Walters], I don’t catch up with Des [Hasler] and I never caught up with Justin Holbrook.

‘What I say is just my opinion. It’s not an opinion on behalf of the Broncos old boys. No-one tells me what to say.

‘I’m paid to give my opinion and when I’m asked I am just going to give my honest thoughts.’