Another famous rugby league name attended, albeit as a disembodied voice.
Ray “Rabbits” Warren, the man who called 99 State of Origin games for TV, voiced the video of Turvey’s deeds. While he has declined repeated requests to call a 100th game, he did break from his retirement to acknowledge the “spirit of Turvey”.
Steve Mortimer and Roy Masters at the True Blues dinner.
At Maguire’s request, I facilitated the hour-long function because, as coach of St George in 1985, I witnessed this new spirit where loyalty to NSW had finally eclipsed loyalty to a player’s club.
Queensland had thrived on this deep fealty to their home state since that inaugural game when their captain Arthur Beetson clashed with his Parramatta teammate, NSW’s Mick Cronin.
But Turvey, having conspired with his Canterbury club boss and NSW team manager Peter “Bullfrog” Moore to convince Sydney clubs to rest players from clashes, ensured his team was well prepared for the three Origin matches.
While history lessons are often lost on the young, Maguire’s team for Origin I in Sydney on June 5 was deeply affected, especially witnessing the bonds of former teammates which have become even stronger over 40 years. Steve “Blocker” Roach and Michael O’Connor, both of whom have been inducted into the NSW Rugby League Hall of Fame, spoke of the deep obligation they felt to their teammates. Chris Mortimer said, “I loved them then, and I still do”.
NSW coach Terry Fearnley and Steve Mortimer celebrate during the 1985 series.Credit: NRL Imagery
The former players, standing beside members of the current team, were shocked at the height of the 2024 squad, particularly the outside backs. Given that leaping high for kicks to the corners is now a regular source of tries, it is no surprise Maguire has chosen tall players in the three-quarters.
He has selected four forwards on the bench, which is both a signal of how he intends the game to be played and also an indication of the Blues’ vulnerability.
A “release the hounds” attack, with Maguire’s pack charging relentlessly upfield, will put the Blues in position to capitalise on kicks but, should an outside back pick up an injury, a slower forward has to replace him.
The choice of Manly’s old-school prop Jake Trbojevic as NSW captain pleased the former players, given his 1980s-style work ethic and humility. Yet they also warned that Origin games can change quickly, with a team going from being in control to crisis mode in a second.
The 2024 team, particularly the five Penrith players, remarked how honoured they were that their family name was on the back of the Blues jumper, a tradition of more than 40 years that differs from club and Australia jerseys.
The family theme continued at the True Blues dinner which began with an original song, On Fire, written and performed by a “James Keith”. It captures the mood of a boy in a rugby league dressing room watching his famous father’s preparation. At song’s end, he revealed that “Keith” was a stage name, his real name being James Mortimer, the son of Peter and brother to Steve and Chris.