Courier-Mail 175th anniversary: Qld’s favourite Maroons revealed

A poll of Courier-Mail readers has revealed their favourite Queensland Maroon of all time, as we unveil a unique mural.

The faces of 10 legends synonymous with Queensland rugby league supremacy will be displayed on Brisbane’s Roma St on Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s do-or-die State of Origin clash with NSW.

The 13m mural has been created as a part of The Courier-Mail’s 175th anniversary celebrations, and includes legends of the game Wally Lewis, Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Mal Meninga, Allan Langer, Shane Webcke and Justin Hodges.

Lewis might be a rugby league Immortal and known as The King, but he said being featured next to the best of the best was the ultimate compliment.

Wally Lewis in front of the Maroons legends mural. Picture: Annette Dew

“To be in the company of those players is a real thrill, and to have your name of the top of list is breathtaking really,” Lewis said.

Lewis was voted the most popular Maroon in Origin’s 41-year history, receiving a quarter of the vote in a couriermail.com.au poll.

“As an individual, it’s an honour and a privilege to be recognised as readers’ favourite Maroons player, but I do remind everybody that I had a group of teammates who never gave in and had only one plan in their mind, and that was to put on a proud display to repay the loyal fans who never turned on us,” Lewis said.

“The thing that I always used to do to the players as captain was to inform them that the greatest thing about representing Queensland was if we lost, our fans would never turn on us.”

Hodges is featured in the piece spreading his arms in celebration after the iconic moment when he kicked the final goal in the 2015 decider to help Queensland win 52-6 in his last ever game for the state.

Bohdi Gardner works on his mural. Picture: Annette Dew

“It’s smashing mate, it’s a massive achievement to look up on that wall see so many of the greats and so many players you idolised growing up and played with,” Hodges said.

“It’s every kid’s dream to pay for Queensland, and it is great achievement. I am really thrilled.”

The mural, painted by renowned street artist Bodhi Gardener, will be unveiled at 10.30am today at the entrance to Roma Street station, where Queensland fans will start their trek to the Cauldron for Origin II on Sunday.

“As a mural artist, the biggest thing is always how many people see it; it was good being asked to do an Origin mural of legends, and it’s definitely taken me a bit longer so I can get certain aspects of it right,” Gardner said.

Editor Chris Jones said: “The Courier-Mail is proud to be celebrating its 175th birthday this week, and as there’s nothing more Queensland than Origin.

“This mural is a way to give a gift to our readers and fans of the game.”