40 years on from NSW’s iconic 1985 State of Origin win, the Blues must win it for Steve ‘Turvey’ Mortimer

This Origin series celebrates the 40-year anniversary of the year Blues icon Steve ‘Turvey’ Mortimer led NSW to its first-ever series triumph. Key players share their memories of the game and why the 2025 NSW team can win the decider.

NSW legend Noel Cleal described it as “a moment that will live with me forever”.

Blues prop Pat Jarvis defined it as “a moment of exhilaration – happy days”, while teammate Peter Wynn said: “This was as good as it gets – a moment in time.”

This series celebrates the 40-year anniversary of the year Blues icon Steve Mortimer led NSW to its first-ever State of Origin series triumph with a 21-14 win to secure a two-nil series lead over a Wally Lewis-led Queensland.

The iconic photo from 1985.

Around 9.10pm on June 11, 1985, Blues captain Mortimer dropped to his knees and kissed the SCG turf after finally dragging NSW to the Promised Land, after the Maroons had dominated Origin since its inception in 1980.

Mortimer was chaired from the field post-game by Cleal, Wynn, Jarvis, Garry Jack and Wayne Pearce in arguably the most iconic moment in State of Origin history.

“We climbed the mountain that night,” said Jack.

The current NSW side, and coach Laurie Daley, hosted Mortimer, wife Karen, son Andrew, his wife Chantelle and grandkids Lachlan and Harrison to a team dinner at the Novotel inside Sydney Olympic Park before game two.

The entire team posed for a picture with Mortimer.

The 2025 Origin team meet Steve Mortimer and family before Game 2. Picture: Supplied

Mortimer and his side’s heroics four decades ago are embedded in the thoughts of the current Blues side ahead of Wednesday night’s State of Origin decider at Accor Stadium.

Sadly Mortimer, suffering from dementia and now in a Revesby aged care home, won’t be able to attend the big game.

But the Mortimer influence will be present on Wednesday night through daughter Erin, who will sing the national anthem pre-game.

The Daily Telegraph tracked down the five champions who hoisted Mortimer onto their weary shoulders to seek their memories and pinch a tip for Wednesday night.

One legend, one match, one state, one result.

Let’s win it for Turvey.

Peter Wynn, Steve Mortimer and Steve Roach recreated the photo in 2020. Picture: Tim Hunter

PETER WYNN

Memory from ’85: (Coach) Terry Fearnley took us to the upper deck of Members’ Stand overlooking the SCG and told us: “You guys have the opportunity to do what no one has ever done”. So when we won, it was a moment in time that I will never forget; that sense of achievement and being in that moment with Steve Mortimer, who has been so inspirational, such a great leader. We just picked him up, it wasn’t premeditated, to give him recognition. To see the excitement on all our faces, you can see those smiles in the photo, and the fans as well, it was as good as it gets.

Now: Owner of Peter Wynn Score sports store at Parramatta. “If you don’t score here, you’ll never score.”

Why NSW will win Origin III: Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, what a combination, and you’ve got Stephen Crichton there as well. Those three are the guns. But never underestimate Queensland. They never give up.

Eric Grothe, Pat Jarvis and Wayne Pearce congratulate Ben Elias after his try during Origin II at the SCG in 1985.

NOEL CLEAL

Memory from ’85: It is a moment that will live with me forever. It was euphoric. Special things happen in your life and, outside of becoming a parent, this moment was right up there with the best feeling you could have. I can’t remember whose idea it was to put Turvey on our shoulders but I was under him so I might have had something to do with it. It was such an occasion and it needed to be celebrated in a grand final-style way. It was getting the monkey off our back. It wasn’t just that night. The process and success to win that series started six weeks earlier.

Now: Retired on the north coast and enjoys hunting, fishing and camping.

Why NSW will win Origin III: I just think NSW has a better team. I think we have them covered right across the board. If we control the ball, we will control the game. It’s basically been the same side for the last four of five games, after winning the series last year. That’s like 1985-86 with us. It was essentially the same team for six games and we won five of them. That side has some of that about them.

Mortimer kissed the turf after the win.

PAT JARVIS

Memory from ’85: It was a moment of exhilaration. It was important to all of us. We had a wonderful bond with each other and a lot of that was because of Stevie. He was an exceptional captain, he brought us together. That was the highlight. Happy days. I went and visited Steve last year. It was very sad. I have such a high regard for Steve. Good times, good memories.

Now: Running transport business Complete Removal Services, based in Annandale for the past 27 years.

Why NSW will win Origin III: NSW play better as a team, they’ve got some good kids. They’re tenacious. They race up to take down the opposition. I love seeing that. A good game is a good defensive game. The team that plays as a team will win. The team that works together, backs each other up and turns up at the right time. That’s been a law of the game forever. Teamwork wins games, not superstars.

Noel Cleal, Pearce and Steve Roach celebrate.

GARRY JACK

Memory from ’85: There was this sense of relief that we had actually won our first series because we hadn’t climbed the mountain before. We climbed it that night. This was the first time it had ever, ever happened. The big thing about Turvey was that he believed and had confidence in the players. He told us we were the best in our positions. We put him on our shoulders to celebrate. The support from the crowd that night at the SCG was unbelievable.

Now: NRL ambassador for pathways and participation.

Why NSW will win Origin III: Because we have the best players. We should play well at home and if we play as a team and we all come together, with the support of the crowd, I think we will win.

WAYNE PEARCE

Memory from ’85: I grabbed the guys and basically said: “Let’s lift Turvey, he deserves to be chaired off”. We had such a great bond. Turvey gave 100 per cent, he left nothing in the tank. Looking at that photo brings back really fond memories. It was part of history and so great to be part of that team.

Now: ARL commissioner and a peak performance business consultant with company Wayne Pearce Advantage.

Why NSW will win Origin III: NSW showed in the first game that when they’re switched on and focused, they dominate. In the second half of the second game, they switched on. But you can’t afford to come out not fully tuned. At home at Accor, and switched on from the word go, I’m really confident.