In 1994, Buttigieg represented the Queensland under-17 team, starting at prop in a loss to New South Wales. In 1995, he was a member of the Cowboys' youth development squad. In Round 13 of the
1996 ARL season, Buttigieg made his first grade debut against the
Sydney Tigers, starting at . He played nine games during his rookie season. In 1999, after just 13 games the previous two seasons, Buttigieg became a regular in the Cowboys starting side, playing 17 games and winning the club's Players' Player award. In Round 6 of the
1999 season, he knocked out
Penrith Panthers prop
Craig Greenhill at
Dairy Farmers Stadium during an off the ball incident. In October 1999, he represented the
Arthur Beetson-coached
Aborigines side, who defeated
Papua New Guinea in a two-game series. In 2001, Buttigieg made his
State of Origin debut for
Queensland, scoring a try in a 34–16 win over
New South Wales at Lang Park. He missed Game II due to injury, but was recalled for the Game III decider, in which Queensland won the series. In 2002, Buttiegied played 16 games for the Cowboys and again represented Queensland, playing in Game I of the
series. In Round 13 of the
2003 NRL season, he played his 100th first grade game in a 24–28 loss to
Penrith. On 25 August 2003, Buttigieg announced his retirement, due to an ongoing knee injury. Buttigiegs' right knee was operating bone on bone due to lack of cartilage, resulting in swelling. ==Achievements and accolades==