Sunshine Coast Local Trent Loiero Thrilled with Maroons Origin Call-Up

Sunshine Coast local Trent Loiero received an unexpected and exciting call from Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater, offering him a spot in the squad for State of Origin Game II in Melbourne. The Melbourne Storm second rower, accompanied by teammate Xavier Coates, was taken aback by the surprise invitation as they were traveling together when the call came in.

Loiero, visibly stunned by the offer, was quick to express his eagerness to join the squad, despite the unexpected nature of the call. The 23-year-old was thrilled by the opportunity and conveyed his excitement about the upcoming week with the team.

Coates, amused by Loiero’s initial shock, shared his amusement as he witnessed his teammate’s surprise at being selected for such a prestigious event.

Calling his father Gino as soon as he could, Loiero expressed his gratitude towards him for being his biggest supporter throughout his career. Gino, along with Leanne, Loiero’s mother, shared in their son’s joy and excitement over the news of his call-up to the Maroons squad.

Origin has always held a special place in Trent Loiero’s heart, with memories of watching the games alongside his father Gino ingrained in his upbringing. From a young age, they would sit together, glued to the TV screen, cheering on the Maroons and absorbing every moment of this iconic sporting event. Talking to his father first after receiving the call was a natural choice for Loiero, considering their shared passion for the game.

For Loiero, his journey through rugby league began on the Sunshine Coast, playing for the Kawana Dolphins from a young age. Representing his junior club and now getting the chance to represent the Sunshine Coast on the Origin stage holds significant meaning for him, highlighting the local pride of his roots.

Joining the Game II squad under the guidance of coach Billy Slater has brought Trent Loiero closer to his dream of wearing the Maroon jersey. The prospect of eventually playing for Queensland at the highest level carries immense importance for him, symbolizing the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to the sport.

Throughout this opportunity, Loiero aims to absorb as much knowledge and experience from the seasoned players in the camp, eager to learn and grow during his time with the Maroons. With a mindset of being a sponge and soaking in all the insights available, he hopes to emerge from this experience with invaluable lessons to carry forward in his career.