Erin Mortimer to sing anthem before 80,000 at Origin decider in Sydney

Steve Mortimer’s daughter Erin will dedicate the anthem to her famous footy father to mark the 40-year anniversary of him leading NSW to their first series triumph.

Steve Mortimer’s daughter Erin will sing the national anthem at State of Origin III. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The performing arts daughter of NSW champion Steve Mortimer will sing the national anthem at State of Origin III in Sydney – and she will dedicate the spine-tingling moment to her legendary father.

Erin Mortimer has been chosen to perform the anthem for the July 9 decider and will be thinking about her revered dad when she walks out before 80,000 fans onto Accor Stadium.

It is the 40th anniversary of Steve ‘Turvey’ Mortimer famously leading NSW to the state’s first-ever Origin series triumph.

In an iconic moment, after winning the 1985 series, Steve dropped to his knees and kissed the hallowed SCG turf.

Now 68, Steve is fighting dementia at a Revesby nursing home and, sadly, won’t be able to walk Erin onto Accor Stadium for her big moment.

“I’m very excited, humbled and honoured on a personal note but also the sense of occasion,” Erin said. “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.

“Those images of him being lifted up on his teammates’ shoulders and kissing the SCG turf will be rolling around in my mind when I walk onto the field.

Rugby League legend Steve Mortimer pictured with his children Andrew and Erin at Revesby. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“It will be a little bittersweet that he can’t walk me out but I will be dedicating that anthem to my dad and all of NSW. This being a game three decider, it’s going to be electric. Let’s just hope we have a win.”

A vocalist, performer and songwriter, Erin has twice previously sung the anthem at State of Origin games in 2008 and 2013.

Asked about Steve’s health, Erin said: “Dad is happy, comfortable and relaxed.

“The regular stream of visitors, family and friends is very special and important at this stage.

“Bringing our kids, dad’s grandkids, to see him is very important because of that face-to face connection and engagement. It sparks joy.”

In a Daily Telegraph interview in May, Steve’s son Andrew said: “Many people ask about dad quite regularly and I say: ‘Dad is doing well, he’s okay. Apart from the fact he has dementia, he is physically okay, safe, comfortable and is still well connected to family and friends’.

A triumphant Steve Mortimer is chaired off the SCG after captaining NSW to their first Origin series win in 1985.

“I would say he’s on a slow decline. I’m sure people who see him a few months apart, or a year, would see significant change.

“My reading of (dad’s cognitive condition) is that he’s taking in part of what is happening around him but processing that. But then articulating or engaging in a conversation is close to impossible.”

Erin will release a song titled Play The Game in the next fortnight.

“It’s a general anthem for sport. I am a performing arts tutor – singing, dancing and drama,” she said.

Steve played nine State of Origin games for NSW between 1982 and 1985 and seven pre-Origin matches for the Blues.

Originally published as Erin Mortimer to sing anthem before 80,000 at Origin decider in Sydney