- Will be sung by Erin Mortimer on July 9
- Daughter of NSW Blues great Steve Mortimer
- Halfback guided NSW to series win in 1985
The NRL has confirmed who will perform the national anthem at the Origin series decider on July 9 – and it will warm the hearts of footy fans.
Erin Mortimer, the daughter of NSW Blues legend Steve Mortimer, is poised to sing Advance Australia Fair in front of 80,000-plus supporters.
It will also be the 40th anniversary of her father leading NSW to the state’s first-ever Origin series triumph in 1985.
In iconic scenes, the champion halfback kissed the turf at the SCG at fulltime after the Blues finally got the better of Queensland.
Mortimer was then chaired off the field by his jubilant teammates before lifting the interstate trophy.
‘I’m very excited, humbled and honoured on a personal note but also the sense of occasion,’ Erin Mortimer told News Corp.
The NRL has confirmed who will perform the national anthem at the Origin series decider on July 9 – and it will warm the hearts of footy fans (pictured, NSW players before game two in Perth recently)
Erin Mortimer – daughter of NSW Blues legend Steve Mortimer – is poised to sing Advance Australia Fair in front of 80,000 supporters (they are both pictured, in 2013)
Mortimer played nine State of Origin games for NSW in his decorated career (pictured, after winning the 1985 series)
In iconic scenes, the champion halfback kissed the turf at the SCG at fulltime (pictured) after the Blues finally got the better of Queensland in 1985
‘Given what Dad is going through, I’m grateful and privileged.
‘The adrenaline, nerves and anticipation before kick-off will be amazing, so I can only imagine what Dad was feeling 40 years ago before that iconic first series win in ’85.’
She added it will be ‘bittersweet’ that Mortimer – who now lives in a Sydney nursing home – won’t be at Accor Stadium on the night.
A vocalist, performer and songwriter, Mortimer won’t be rattled by the huge occasion, having sung the anthem at Origin games in 2008 and 2013.
Mortimer played nine State of Origin games for NSW between 1982 and 1985 and also won four premierships with the Bulldogs, including two as captain.
In recent years, he has battled the effects of dementia.
Sadly, his son Andrew revealed Mortimer probably is unaware how well his beloved Bulldogs are performing this NRL season due to his declining health.
‘It’s a shame because they are absolutely killing it,’ he said.
‘I would say he’s on a slow decline. He is seemingly calm, somewhat at peace with the situation and probably somewhat oblivious.’
