State of Origin 2023: Who won the Wally Lewis Medal? Reuben Cotter earns 'Player of the Series' honours

Liam O'Loughlin

State of Origin 2023: Who won the Wally Lewis Medal? Reuben Cotter earns 'Player of the Series' honours image

Reuben Cotter has taken out this year's Wally Lewis Medal for the State of Origin player of the series.

The 24-year-old was among the best performers for Queensland across the three matches, with a total of 135 tackles and 328 run metres.

Cotter was part of a select few in the forwards that featured in all 80 minutes in each game in the series.

His herculean effort where he played out of position bagged him the Man of the Match award in Game 1.

"Firstly, Congrats to NSW. Congrats to our boys. It’s been a great series, I have loved every moment with you guys in camp,” Cotter said after winning the Wally Lewis Medal.

MORE: NSW Blues Game 3 player ratings | QLD Maroons Game 3 player ratings

Who won the 2023 Wally Lewis Medal?

Reuben Cotter took out this year's Wally Lewis Medal for Player of the Series.

Across the three matches against NSW, the forward made 135 tackles with only nine missed and averaged  109 run metres.

Can NSW players win the Wally Lewis Medal?

Yes they can - but not this year, for obvious reasons.

Each year, State of Origin's Wally Lewis Medal is awarded to the Player of the Series, which encompasses the performances from both NSW and Queensland.

The award is voted on by a panel of judges, with the recipient to have featured in at least two of the matches across the Origin series. 

Wally Lewis Medal history

YEAR WINNER
2023 Reuben Cotter (QLD)
2022 Patrick Carrigan (QLD)
2021 Tom Trbojevic (NSW)
2020 Cameron Munster (QLD)
2019 James Tedesco (NSW)
2018 Billy Slater (QLD)*
2017 Dane Gagai (QLD)
2016 Cameron Smith (QLD)
2015 Corey Parker (QLD)
2014 Paul Gallen (NSW)
2013 Cameron Smith (QLD)
2012 Nate Myles (QLD)
2011 Cameron Smith (QLD)
2010 Billy Slater (QLD)
2009 Greg Inglis (QLD)
2008 Johnathan Thurston (QLD)
2007 Cameron Smith (QLD)
2006 Darren Lockyer (QLD)
2005 Anthony Minichiello (NSW)
2004 Craig Fitzgibbon (NSW)

*Billy Slater won the award for a second time in 2018, despite the Maroons losing the series. 

Who is Wally Lewis?

Wally Lewis is regarded as one of Queensland's greatest-ever players, with his performances in the State of Origin arena becoming part of the state's folklore.

The five-eighth played 38 matches for Queensland during his stellar career and was involved in some of the great Origin moments, earning the moniker of 'The King' and a statue outside of Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. 

Lewis also coached the Maroons on six occasions in the 1990s. 

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW.