State of Origin 2018: James Maloney surprised by Billy Slater medal but shrugs off controversy

THE fact Australian selectors could not find a player from the victorious Blues side to name the Origin player of the series surprised James Maloney — but he shrugged it off in typical fashion.

There is only one bit of silverware that matters to Maloney. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

NSW five-eighth James Maloney said he was a “little bit surprised” the Australian selectors couldn’t find a player from the victorious Blues side to award the State of Origin player of the series.

Maloney nominated outstanding Blues hooker Damien Cook, game one man of the match James Tedesco or winger Tom Trbojevic as his winner of the Wally Lewis Medal ahead of Queensland’s Billy Slater.

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There is only one bit of silverware that matters to Maloney. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“There were plenty of worthy recipients in the NSW that won the series,” Maloney said.

“There is no doubt he (Slater) was good in the two games he played but you think you could find a couple of recipients in the winning side that were very good.

“You can’t knock and say Bill didn’t play really well. What he added to Queensland in the two games and the improvement they had from having him there was significant. It’s the first time it’s happened. I don’t think it’s a case of we can’t find anyone in NSW so we go there.

“It is what it is. They made a call. We’ve got the shield so who gives a shit.”

NSW Rugby League boss Dave Trodden questioned the system in which Slater was deemed man of the series.

“I just found it incongruous that a player who played in only two matches on a losing side would finish up as man of the series,” Trodden said. “That a player can be so outstanding in those two games that he can be the best player of both teams.

“Everybody has the utmost respect for Billy as a player, he’s possibly the best fullback of all-time.

“Everyone also has the utmost respect for Mal, Darren and Laurie, whose integrity is beyond question. But if we have a system that produces a result like that, you just wonder whether we have the right system.

“This system produced a result which was difficult to understand.”

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Originally published as State of Origin 2018: James Maloney surprised by Billy Slater medal but shrugs off controversy