Freddy Palethorpe: 'Patty is iconic at Terrace'

St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace student Freddy Palethorpe and the entire school are backing old boy Pat Carrigan - and the Queensland Maroons - come Wednesday night.

Like the players feel the weight of the state on their shoulders when they run out to play State of Origin, Year 9 student Freddy Palethorpe felt the pressure when he was asked to paint Carrigan in his visual arts class.

"Patty is iconic at Terrace," the 14-year-old said, adding it took about 30 hours to bring Carrigan to life on canvas.

"It was a huge honour to be asked to paint Patty... the most difficult part was that everyone recognises him here and admires him, so there was a lot of pressure to portray him accurately.... and I really wanted to make sure he liked it. He's a pretty big deal.

"In the photo I was using he looks ready, stern... a bit angry... game ready. I really wanted to portray that.

"I'll definitely be cheering for Queensland on Wednesday. Go Queensland."

Terrace head of art Fiona Kennedy-Altoft said Freddy was "a fantastic talent for such a young age" and had worked really hard to get the portrait done in time for Game I so the school could get behind Carrigan, who graduated from the school in 2015, for series 2024.

"This term we have been working on proportions and painting techniques and Freddy was asked to do this portrait of Patty Carrigan... it's only his second painting ever," Kennedy-Altoft said.

"Freddy and his family love footy and have season passes to the Brisbane Broncos, so huge fans.

"It's fantastic to be able to showcase how art can celebrate sport and the success of an old boy. As the saying goes, we're united in maroon."

At the school's most recent gorilla gathering - where the boys chant war cries - the painting sat in the middle and they finished with a huge 'Queenslander' for good measure.

And for the record, Carrigan loved the painting.