The 2018 State of Origin series featured a number of terrific individual performances. New South Wales won the shield thanks to a number of great efforts, but the Queensland team remained competitive due to some of their big guns. These 10 players were the best of the series.
In a tough series for Queensland forwards, Josh McGuire took it upon himself to do a lot of the hard work. The Queensland lock made 289 running metres in a number of gritty performances. Without his effort the Maroons could have struggled much more.
Dane Gagai has quickly become Queensland’s most reliable player and despite not being as spectacular as recent years, the Maroons back was still excellent. Gagai scored tries in the first two games, and ran for over 100 metres in all three games, including 199 in Game III to finish off a strong individual series.
Despite a quiet Game III, Latrell Mitchell’s excellent performances in Games I and II more than justify his inclusion on this list. Mitchell scored a try in both the first and second match, made three lines breaks and 18 tackle busts as he proved to be a huge attacking threat.
David Klemmer proved to be a vital member of the Blues' forward pack, twice running for over 100 metres in his three starts at prop. Klemmer’s 332 metres for the series certainly went a long way in him laying the platform for the New South Wales backs.
The Blues' five-eighth was key for New South Wales, particularly in the first two games. Maloney recorded two try assists in both Games I and II, kicked for goal, defended strongly and took over from Nathan Cleary when he was under pressure.
Valentine Holmes proved that he is the best winger in the NRL right now. Holmes scored four tries in the series, including two crucial intercept tries. Holmes recorded 28 points in the series, the most of any player, and ran for 557 metres with nine tackle busts.
While the decision to award Billy Slater with the Wally Lewis Medal was a controversial one, it was clear that Slater was immense in the two games he played. Slater had three try assists and helped the inexperienced Queensland halves create opportunities both out wide and through the middle.
Damien Cook excelled in his first State of Origin series, both in attack and defence. Cook topped the Blues' tackling charts in both Games I and II and was second in Game III, with a total of 127 tackles. Cook's dynamic attack also created a number of opportunities for the Blues in the middle.
Coming into the series under pressure and with many doubters, Boyd Cordner showed why he belongs in the Origin arena. The Blues captain ran for 161, 104 and 82 metres in Games I, II and III respectively. Along with this gargantuan effort, Cordner made 73 tackles to help lead his team to a series win.
Three outstanding performances at fullback ensures James Tedesco tops the list of the best Origin players in the 2018 series. Tedesco recorded two tries, three try assists, three linebreaks, 22 tackle busts and 485 running metres in an incredible series. With such excellent numbers it is hard to argue that Tedesco should not have been named the Man of the Series.