On Monday, the excitement extended beyond the Blues Game 1 squad as the New South Wales Rugby League board revealed the latest inductees into the NSWRL Hall of Fame during the True Blues annual dinner.
Peter Sterling and Boyd Cordner were honored in front of nearly 500 attendees, including notable figures like Laurie Daley, John Strange, and NSWRL chief executive David Trodden.
The evening also featured several Hall of Famers, such as Danny Buderus, Ron Coote, and Andrew Johns, alongside 100 'True Blues' recognized for their contributions to the NSW State of Origin team.
Sterling was a dominant force in the 1980s, making 13 appearances for NSW while vying with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Mortimer for the halfback position.
He played a key role in the Blues' historic achievement in 1986, being part of the team's first-ever clean sweep with a 3-0 series victory.
Boyd Cordner, a former captain, led the team to consecutive series victories in 2018 and 2019, finishing his career with 16 caps for NSW before his medical retirement in 2021.
Cordner was known for his resilience, consistently sacrificing his body for the team and earning accolades for his commitment to the state.
Regarding the induction of these elite athletes, Trodden remarked, "The annual True Blues dinner is a signature event on the NSWRL calendar as it brings together different generations of players who have donned the mighty sky blue jersey for their state."