Selwyn Cobbo won Queensland's Ron McAuliffe Medal at the QRL awards in Brisbane on Thursday, ahead of contenders including Sam Walker.
Named for former senator and influential Queensland Rugby League boss Ron McAuliffe, the award recognises the state's best State of Origin player.
Cobbo scored four tries, made four line breaks and averaged 184 metres during Queensland's 2-1 series loss to NSW.
Recalled after two years away from Origin, he said his pre-season work helped him return: "All the extras I was doing paid off."
The 24-year-old's award caps a turnaround after Michael Maguire dropped him to reserve grade at the Broncos last season.
He initially agreed to a one-year Dolphins deal for 2026, then revived his form under Kristian Woolf and recently extended his contract through 2031.
Cobbo credited Billy Slater's advice and said the Dolphins had backed his return to Origin.
The winger now has a chance to help the Dolphins reach their first NRL grand final against the Roosters in Friday's preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium.
He also hopes to earn a place in Kevin Walters' Kangaroos squad for this year's World Cup: "It would be good to chuck on that (Australian) jersey again and play under Kevvie."