Channel the spirit of Artie

QUEENSLAND coach Billy Slater has implored his playing group not to let down Arthur Beetson as the Maroons prepare to uphold the legacy of ‘Artie’ in the Suncorp Stadium decider on Wednesday night.

The Maroons will ramp-up preparations for Game Three on Friday, exactly 42 years since Beetson famously led Queensland on to Lang Park in a moment that represented the birth of State of Origin.

In his one and only Origin game for Queensland, Beetson inspired a famous 20-10 defeat of NSW on July 8, 1980, giving the unproven concept legitimacy when he attacked Parramatta teammate and Blues rival Michael Cronin.

Now, with the Maroons under siege after their 44-12 hiding in Origin II, Slater appealed for Queensland stars to summon the spirit of Artie to pull off one of the great series fightbacks in the 2022 decider.

“The first Origin was played at Lang Park and Friday will be the 42nd anniversary to Arthur Beetson running out on to Lang Park ... it’s ironic we will be running out there only a few days later doing the same thing,” Slater said.

“That game in 1980 happened three years before I was born, but the vision of Artie running on to Lang Park is ingrained in my mind.

“It’s a huge moment for Queensland rugby league.

“Artie may have only played one game in State of Origin but it was probably the most important game in Queensland’s history.

“Lang Park is our spiritual home and it’s a huge asset for us. You hear Paul Vautin or Chris Close talk about Lang Park. I know it’s now called Suncorp, but it’s the same patch of turf Artie ran on to and this venue means so much to Queensland rugby league.

“Lang Park has never let Origin down as a spectacle and it’s important we don’t either.”

Beetson, Australia’s first Indigenous sporting captain, passed away in 2011, midway through the most dominant dynasty in Origin history as his beloved Maroons charged to nine series wins in 10 years.