Queensland prop Reuben Cotter has received the Wally Lewis Medal as the best player of the 2023 State of Origin series.
The voting panel of Queensland legends Mal Meninga and Darren Lockyer and Blues great Laurie Daley adjudged Cotter the most influential player in a Maroons-dominated series after NSW won game three on Wednesday night.
Cotter had previously earned man-of-the-match honours after the first game, where he played big minutes following an injury to Tom Gilbert midway through the first half.
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Cotter’s versatility came to the fore in his first full series for the Maroons – he started in both the front and second rows across the series but remained one of the side’s most consistent performers.
“It’s been a great series, I have loved every moment with you in camp,” Cotter said.
“I just want to say thanks to all the Queensland supporters for coming out tonight and to the five million back home watching thanks for supporting us all the way through.”
As he reflected on the ‘weird’ mixed feelings of celebrating a series win with a loss, having claimed the Origin shield last year in the decider, Maroons coach Billy Slater heaped praise on Cotter.
“If every rugby league team had a Reuben Cotter in it, they’d be a much better team,” he told Nine.
Cotter’s honour marks the second year in a row that a Queensland forward has won the medal after Patrick Carrigan took it home in his debut series last year.
Lindsay Collins earned man-of-the-match in the second game in a big win to Queensland at Suncorp Stadium that secured the series.
NSW five-eighth Cody Walker earned the nod in Origin III, won 24-10 by the Blues.
– with 7NEWS
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