"We spoke about it at the beginning of the week, the history of the jersey, the people who have worn it.
"It's something that means a lot to us to put it on and to know he wore that first jersey for Queensland.''
Hannant said coach Mal Meninga had spoken early on about honouring Beetson's memory in the first Origin clash. Beetson is one of three former Queensland Origin players to have died, along with Ross Henrick and Peter Jackson.
"A lot was spoken about Artie at the beginning of the week and the other Queensland players who've passed away,'' said Hannant.
"The legacy that they left for us, it's now not just up to us to uphold it, but to leave our own legacy.
"It's very important for us to do that.''
Hannant said Queensland would have give everything for 80 minutes to beat a NSW side which was the strongest in some years.
"They've picked a big pack with a lot of skill as well,'' he said.
"We won't just have to control their big blokes. They've got their back-rowers who like to come back underneath you to try and find a lazy defender or a tired defender.''
Hannant said there was little better than being involved in a Queensland Origin camp.
"I love everything about Origin - it's like Christmas time to me,'' he said.
"I love the training, seeing blokes like Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis, just the skill they've got and then opposing them at training.
"They're all great guys and you've got Alfie (Allan) Langer in camp. You play the toughest game of footy there is on Wednesday with your mates.
"You bleed for each other, you put in for each other and, if the end result comes off, it's fantastic.''
- AAP
