LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In the 2025 State of Origin series, Queensland's Tom Dearden earned the prestigious Wally Lewis Medal for man of the series.
According to zerotackle.com, Dearden began the tournament on the bench during Game 1 but was elevated to the starting halfback position in Game 2 after head coach Billy Slater decided to drop Daly Cherry-Evans.
This strategic move proved beneficial, as Dearden performed strongly alongside five-eighth Cameron Munster, who was awarded man of the match in Perth.
Dearden excelled in Game 3, delivering an outstanding performance that included scoring two tries and making several significant defensive tackles, ultimately earning him the man of the match accolade once again.
Following this impressive showing, he was also crowned as the Wally Lewis Medalist for his contributions throughout the series.