‘Queensland Thor’ Pat Carrigan’s hilarious Wally Lewis Medal speech

Queensland’s Patrick Carrigan was made for State of Origin as the Broncos young gun took out the series’ top honour in a brilliant result.

Only Pat Carrigan didn't think he deserved that award. Photo: Fox Sports

Queensland forward Patrick Carrigan has claimed the series’ highest honour, capping one of the all-time great debut series with the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series.

But hilariously, the 24-year-old Maroons lock wasn’t listening as he was called up to accept the honour.

Stream the FOX LEAGUE State of Origin Game 3 REPLAY on Kayo with no ads during-play. Both full and condensed replays available to stream from 11PM AEST. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

In a brilliant series, Carrigan showed he was meant to play Origin capping an immense series by making 45 tackles, and 20 runs for 130m as well as three offloads in the decider.

It goes alongside 34 tackles and 19 runs for 183m in game one and 43 tackles and 12 runs for 103m in game two in Perth.

He also joins the likes of Craig Fitzgibbon, Nate Myles, Paul Gallen, Corey Parker and Cameron Smith (four times) as forwards to have claimed the honour.

Carrigan was a standout in both Queensland wins, coming off the bench in game one and two, but starting game three.

After introducing the dignitaries, MC James Bracey revealed Carrigan had won, but he was too busy celebrating to take notice when he was thrust in front of the microphone.

Carrigan was too busy celebrating. Photo: Fox Sports

“I don’t know what to say — I missed all that,” Carrigan said.

“I just want to say a big thanks to the Queenslanders who came out tonight.

“As well you Blues fans this game wouldn’t be what it is without you fans.

“The Blues boys it was a tough series and the first five minutes really showed what it was about. I think the two fullbacks of both sides probably one of them should be wearing this. “Thanks to Ampol and all the sponsors. And go Queensland.”

Speaking later to Queensland legend Darren Lockyer, Carrigan still seemed stunned he’d been selected from the engine room.

“I can’t even explain tonight, mate,” Carrigan said.

“This week the whole series has been unreal. I think Bill said to us at the start of the camp you never have a mortgage on a Maroons jersey.

“Just the time that him and Slats and Nate Myles and Johnathan Thurston has had to learn and teach it. They are some of the greats of the game. It is unreal.”

Carrigan with the King. Photo: Fox Sports

Cooper Cronk had nothing but praise for Carrigan.

“What he delivered in game one particularly, set the tone for his whole series,” Cronk said on Fox League.

“After 20 minutes, NSW scored first through Jack Wighton, and Billy Slater brought on Carrigan, Lindsay Collins and Harry Grant and they literally turned the momentum of that game one in their favour.

“He comes on in game two and has a huge impact.

“The series is on the line and the kid who has gone out hell for leather every time he’s played for Queensland, Billy Slater puts him in the starting side, he leads the way, he goes after the biggest player on the opposition, he set the tone.

“He puts that ponytail on and turns into Queensland Thor and just goes ballistic. You hear about the Queensland way and he epitomised that in a lot of ways throughout this series.”

Cronk said he didn’t expect Carrigan to be as good as he has been.

Deserves it just for the hair. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Fans were pretty happy Carrigan got the nod.

NRL Physio wrote: “I’ll say it again (and go one further) – this first season back after an ACL reconstruction from Patty Carrigan IS the best I’ve seen. Just keeps getting better and Man of the Series to top it off. I know he did study to be a physio, that must be the secret.”

Nine commentator Peter Psaltis added: “Pat Carrigan man of the series. Wally Lewis medal. Well deserved. Enormous in game 1 and 3.”

Mark Gottlieb tweeted: “Carrigan was the best Queensland player of the series. Hands down.”

Nine Queensland’s Michael Atkinson posted: “If Pat Carrigan doesn’t get the Wally Lewis Medal… I’m not here”.