AUSTRALIA selector and Wally Lewis Medal judge Laurie Daley has leapt to the defence of Billy Slater following controversy over being named the best player of this year’s State of Origin series.

The Queensland fullback was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal after Game Three at Suncorp Stadium, but the decision was met with furore and confusion as Slater has only played two games this series for the losing team.

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Speaking on Big Sports Breakfast on Thursday morning, Daley explained the process that he, and fellow judges Mal Meninga and Darren Lockyer, went through to conclude Slater as the winner.

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He also blasted critics who have questioned the integrity of the process.

“One thing I do know, and Mal Meninga knows, and Darren Lockyer knows — don’t ever question my integrity, don’t ever question (why) I’m voting because of whatever reason,” he said.

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“I always vote because I believe they’re the man of the match.”

The former Blues coach and winning skipper said the judges award points on a 4, 3, 2, 1 basis following each game, and the player with the most points at the end of the series is awarded the Wally Lewis Medal.

The player who polls the most votes per game is awarded man-of-the-match honours. Slater was also named man of the match in Game Three.

controversial. Billy Slater is presented with the player of the series medal by Wally Lewis Source: AAP

However, Daley also said he understands why New South Wales fans would be disappointed to see a player from Queensland be crowned player of the series.

“I can understand why people are disappointed and blowing up this morning over Billy Slater receiving the Wally Lewis Medal.

“He’s been very good in games two and three and I believe he is the player of the series.

“I can understand the frustration from NSW supporters because we want a NSW player to win.

“But that’s why rugby league is so good, it’s all about opinions and it’s all about following and supporting your team. Some people thought Damien Cook could have been player of the series, some people thought James Tedesco could have been player of the series.

“It’s opinion-based and everyone has their opinion about who should be player of the series.

“I’m happy with my selections.”

Fellow judge and Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga also defended the process.

“I’m happy with the outcome,” Meninga told The Daily Telegraph. “We have a really good process in place. It’s an independent process with the three judges.

“There is no collusion or conversations around who should get it. It’s purely independent.”

BLUES PLAYERS ‘AHEAD OF SLATER’

NSW captain Boyd Cordner and coach Brad Fittler said there were NSW players more deserving of the gong.

“I was a bit surprised to be honest, given he (Slater) played two out of the three games and lost the second game,” Cordner told the Triple M Grill Team.

“He did play fantastic, don’t get me wrong, but I truly believe that it should have gone to one of our players.

“Probably the two that come off the top of my head are Tommy Trbojevic — I thought he had a really good series on the wing, he was one of our best players every game and also James Tedesco.

Boyd Cordner and Brad Fitler said Tom Trbojevic would have been worthy Wally Lewis medallist. Source: AAP

Fitler accepted the decision but echoed Cordner in believing a Blues player should have won.

“There were a few players in our team that I would’ve chosen ahead of Billy in this series, but the fact (is) he’s been a brilliant player for the sport, State of Origin.

“I can live with him taking away a medal, but it was more than for this series.”

Asked who he thought deserved the prize, Fittler said: “Tom Trbojevic was pretty outstanding I thought across the three games. He was my pick.”

VOTES WON’T BE RELEASED

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg, meanwhile, has refused to release the voting citing confidentiality agreements the judged signed to judge State of Origin’s player of the series.

“We are not going to announce individual (votes). They signed confidentiality agreements and that’s the process it is,’’ Greenberg said.

“We review everything after an Origin series. It will be part of it I’m sure, but you can’t question the integrity of the three men who voted on it.

“You have three people who devoted their time and I don’t think it’s fair to ask them to disclose who they voted for. We don’t it for the Dally Ms and other awards, why would we do it for this?’’