LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
The brave warriors from Queensland who battled it out on the State of Origin battlefield, along with the unsung heroes who toiled behind the scenes, were honored at the prestigious QRL Awards ceremony, as reported by the lads over at Cowboys HQ.
In a true display of grit and determination, Tom Dearden was crowned as the Maroons' finest, taking home the esteemed Ron McAuliffe Medal for his stellar performances.
Meanwhile, the tireless efforts of the team's veteran head trainer, Matt Barradeen, were recognized with the FOGS Peter Jackson Memorial Award.
Dearden, who showcased his skills at five-eighth for the Maroons in all three Origin clashes, will be suiting up in the same position for tonight's NRL finals showdown with the North Queensland Cowboys.
His standout display in the crucial Brisbane decider, coupled with his rock-solid consistency throughout the series, earned him his maiden McAuliffe Medal.
Adding to the Queensland celebration, hard-hitting forward Shannon Mato was duly acknowledged for her outstanding contributions during the groundbreaking three-match women's series.
The fearless warrior was bestowed with the Annie Banks Medal, in addition to being crowned the player of the series with the Nellie Doherty Medal, following the historic triumph in Townsville.