IT WAS a moment so unexpected, even Billy Slater himself was surprised.

When Slater was called back to the front of the stage after saying farewell to his stunning State of Origin career, no one was expecting him to be named player of the series.

But when Wally Lewis presented him with the medal that carries his name after the Maroons’ 18-12 Game III win, Slater and the rugby league world were stunned.

A touching tribute to a great player in his final match notwithstanding, the accolade doesn’t stack up to any objective judgment.

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Not even Billy Slater was expecting this. Source: Channel 9

There are the obvious reasons: Queensland lost the series; no player from a losing side has ever won the medal; he only played two out of three matches.

In a Game II loss Slater was arguably the Maroons’ best, but it’s easy to say he was bested in Game III by Daly Cherry-Evans, Cameron Munster and Valentine Holmes.

Statistically speaking, any argument for Slater falls apart.

His 229 metres for the series was nearly overshadowed in a single performance by James Tedesco, who piled up 224m in his stunning man-of-the-match performance in Game I.

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James Tedesco was at his game-breaking best this series. Source: Getty Images

All told, Tedesco had 484m through three games. He scored two tries and set up three more and broke an incredible 21 tackles (including 13 in Game I).

Damien Cook and Boyd Cordner also pressed very strong cases, both statistically and more broadly speaking.

Cook’s speed and ingenuity through the middle gave NSW’s attack a fresh and unpredictable focal point that Queensland couldn’t handle until Game III.

He ran for 226 metres and racked up 129 tackles.

Damien Cook changed the focal point of the Blues’ attack. Source: AAP

‘You’ve got something that belongs to me, Billy …’ Source: AAP

Cordner was at his bruising best and not only was he the Blues’ best forward this series, his influence has captain cannot be underestimated.

He ran for a Hurcelean 356 metres in the series and worked his tail off in defence with a total of 73 tackles.

It’s not even that Slater was poor; far from it. In addition to his dazzling runs and trademark speed, he accounted for three try assists and was hugely influential through the middle in attack, sending players into space on seven different occasions.

But in a numbers game Slater’s case for player of the series simply doesn’t stack up.

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