Queensland Maroons forward Trent Loiero knows he’s “not everyone’s cup of tea” - but his coaches and team mates know, he hits the spot when he does his job.
While his club side the Storm were struggling in the lead-up to Queensland State of Origin selection, some had misguidedly questioned if any of their players would be included in this year’s Game One lineup.
Coach Billy Slater however promptly selected all three of the Melbourne players who helped win the series last year in captain Cameron Munster, hooker Harry Grant and Loiero. Their fourth representative last series, Xavier Coates, remains sidelined with an Achilles injury.
“It's always exciting to get the phone call from Bill and I don't take it lightly, being able to come in here and represent my state," Loiero said.
“We've had a bit of a rough start to the year, so, we probably haven't been playing to level what we were last year ... there were a few nerves and I didn't know if it was going to be a good call or a bad call and I was lucky enough that it was a good call.
“I feel like I've had a good couple of weeks ... and to be able to take that momentum coming into Game One, I'm confident in myself and I'm sure Harry and Munster are confident in what they can bring to the team.
“I guess Billy showing that he has faith in us too will give us all confidence as well.
“I might not be everyone's cup of tea as a player, but I feel like I am a bit no frills.
"For me, my role is I just have a certain job in the team in that in Melbourne and it's a pretty simple role.
“We've got superstars across the board that can score the tries and do all the flashy stuff but, I guess I do a bit of the stuff that you might not see on the TV …
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“I've been playing under Craig [Bellamy] for a fair few years now and he obviously has a lot of faith in me and we have a good relationship so, to be able to repay him by playing good footy for him; that's a bit of a confidence booster …
“For Billy to put his faith in me as well and show he has respect for what I do as well, it's a massive confidence booster.
“I build my game around that.
"Bill has made a comment ... that he's watched us very closely all year and he probably knows our game better than we know it - and I don't doubt that for a second - so for him to say that and then still pick all of us, I think we can take a lot of confidence from that.
“So I am ready to go and do whatever the team needs of me."
His captain at clubland and reigning Golden Boot player Grant said Loiero was a players player. Although he was one who may attract some negative attention for giving up penalties with some misfired aggression, on the field he did all the little things no one else liked to do.
“I think he just does all the little stuff," Grant said.
“You want to play with a player like that.
“That's the simple things (coaches like) Craig Bellamy values.
“He's obviously got a lot of variety to his game now with his ball playing and offloads, he brings good leg speed.
“For example, last year when we were in Australian camp, Lindsay Collins and Reuben Cotter said, ‘oh, I think Treno was unlucky to miss out here’; so they're guys that played with him through Origin and value what he brings to the team.
“If you've got guys like that in your team saying that, then that shows you’re pretty selfless.”
Making his debut in last year's series, Loiero started every game at lock and said he had taken a lot out of the experience, having been part of the extended squad the year prior.
“It was very special to be a part of and it was a bit of a rollercoaster," Loiero said.
"We had a tough first game and then went over to Perth and had a good win there and then won the decider in Sydney, so it was an emotional series and I think for it being my first, it was extra emotional.
“My nerves and pressure and all that sort of stuff so that was really good experience; but in saying that, that's in the past and I've got another really good opportunity this year to do something special.
“It's going to take a lot of hard work and I think as a group, we're ready for that and ready to take that head on, so looking forward to it."
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