Current season or competition: 2024 Women's State of Origin | |
Sport | Rugby league |
---|---|
Instituted | 2018 |
Inaugural season | 1999 |
Number of teams | 2 |
Country | Australia (ARLC) |
Shield Holders | Queensland (2024) |
Website | NRL website |
Broadcast partner | Nine Network Fox Sports |
Related competitions |
The Women's State of Origin is an annual rugby league fixture between two Australian state representative women's sides, the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons. [1]
First played in 1999 as the Women's Interstate Challenge, the game was rebranded as State of Origin for the 2018 season. [2] [3] Queensland won the first game in 1999 and were unbeaten for 17 years until New South Wales won for the first time in 2016. [4] [5]
Despite women's rugby league first being played in Australia in 1921, the first official game between Queensland and New South Wales was not held until 1999. The two teams met at Brisbane's ANZ Stadium with Queensland winning 16–6. [6]
Accurate records were not kept in the early years of the Interstate Challenge by either the QRL or the NSWRL, with many player records and game information still unknown. [7] For many years, the women's teams were run by their own governing bodies, the Queensland Women's Rugby League and the New South Wales Women's rugby league, who were affiliated with the QRL and NSWRL. [8] [9]
Before coming under the State of Origin banner in 2018, the sides were not known as the 'Blues' and 'Maroons', with the Queensland side being known as the 'Brolgas'. [10] In 2005, the teams began playing for the Nellie Doherty Cup. Nellie Doherty was a pioneer of the women's game in Australia, helping to launch the sport in 1921. [11]
Although the majority of early Women's Interstate Challenges were one-off fixtures, the sides would occasionally play a series of games, such as in 2004 and 2008. [12]
In 2015, Queensland failed to defeat New South Wales for the first time, with the sides drawing 4–all at Townsville's 1300SMILES Stadium and Queensland retaining the Nellie Doherty Cup. [13] On 23 July 2016, New South Wales defeated Queensland for the first time, ending Queensland's 17-year undefeated streak, with an 8–4 victory at the Gold Coast's Cbus Super Stadium. [14] On 23 July 2017, in the final game played under the Women's Interstate Challenge name, New South Wales defeated Queensland for the second time, winning 22–6 at WIN Stadium in Wollongong. [15]
On 6 December 2017, the National Rugby League announced that the Women's Interstate Challenge would be rebranded as the Women's State of Origin. [16] The game which, was previously played as a curtain-raiser, would now be a standalone fixture broadcast on the Nine Network and Fox Sports. With the game under the State of Origin banner, the Nellie Doherty Cup was replaced by a shield, with the player of the match now receiving the Nellie Doherty Medal. [17]
On 22 June 2018, New South Wales won the first Women's State of Origin game, defeating Queensland 16–10 at North Sydney Oval. [18] Blues' centre Isabelle Kelly, who scored two tries in the win, won the inaugural Nellie Doherty Medal. [19] On 21 June 2019, New South Wales defeated Queensland for the fourth consecutive year, winning 14–4 at North Sydney Oval, with Blues halfback Maddie Studdon being awarded the Nellie Doherty Medal. [20]
The 2020 game was originally due to be played in June at Sunshine Coast Stadium, but was moved to the post-season for the first time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The game was played in Queensland for the first time under the State of Origin banner and for the first time overall since 2016. [21] [22] Queensland defeated New South Wales 24–18, winning their first official State of Origin game and their first game since 2014. [23]
The 2021 match is historically notable for being the first Women's State of Origin fixture where the players, coaches and on-field officials were all women. [24]
Within Australia, the game is simulcast on the Nine Network and Fox Sports. [25]
In 2013 and 2014, the game was livestreamed. [26] In 2015 and 2016, the game aired on Fox Sports as a replay the day after the game. [27] In 2017, the game aired live on Fox Sports for the first time. [28]
Prior to 2019, the Queensland and New South Wales teams were largely selected under residency rules, meaning a number of players represented both states. [7] For example, Tahnee Norris (who captained Queensland) and Natalie Dwyer, both represented New South Wales before moving to Queensland. Innisfail's Tarah Westera represented Queensland before moving to Penrith, where she represented New South Wales, later returning to and playing for Queensland. [29]
In 2019, the eligibility rules were revised to be more inline with the men's State of Origin rules. [30] The residency rule was removed, which saw New Zealand representatives Maitua Feterika (Queensland) and Nita Maynard (New South Wales) ruled ineligible. [31] Queensland lock Rona Peters, who had previously represented New Zealand, was also originally ruled ineligible. This was later overturned and she was given special dispensation, as she had retired from international rugby league in 2015, before she first represented Queensland in 2016. [32]
The Nellie Doherty Medal is awarded to the player of the match. The medal was first awarded in 2018 to New South Wales' centre Isabelle Kelly after the first official Women's State of Origin game [33] and Kelly became the first player to win the award twice winning it again in 2022 [34]
Year | Player | State | Position | Club | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | Isabelle Kelly | New South Wales | Centre | CRL Newcastle | [33] |
2019 | Maddie Studdon | New South Wales | Halfback | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | |
2020 | Tarryn Aiken | Queensland | Five-eighth | Brisbane Broncos | |
2021 | Tazmin Gray | Queensland | Second-row | Burleigh Bears | |
2022 | Isabelle Kelly | New South Wales | Centre | Sydney Roosters | [34] |
2023 | Tazmin Gray | Queensland | Second-row | Brisbane Broncos | [35] |
2024 | Shannon Mato | Queensland | Prop | Gold Coast Titans | [36] |
Accurate records were not kept in early years of the Women's Interstate Challenge by either the QRL or the NSWRL. In 2004, 2008 and 2023 two games were played instead of a one-off fixture. [7]
Year | Winner | Wins | Losses | Drawn |
---|---|---|---|---|
1999 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2000 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2001 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2002 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2003 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2004 | Queensland | 2 | 0 | 0 |
2005 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2006 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2007 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2008 | Queensland | 2 | 0 | 0 |
2009 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2010 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2011 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2012 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2013 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2014 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2015 | Draw | 0 | 0 | 1 |
2016 | New South Wales | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2017 | New South Wales | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2018 | New South Wales | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2019 | New South Wales | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2020 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2021 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2022 | New South Wales | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2023 | Queensland | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2024 | Queensland | 2 | 1 | 0 |
30 July 2006 12.15pm |
Queensland | 40 – 24 | New South Wales |
---|---|---|
Tries Steph Hancock 2 Leah Williams 2 Teresa Anderson 1 Karyn Murphy 1 Megan Spicer 1 Goals Neena Fraser 4 Steph Hancock 1 Megan Spicer 1 | Report | Tries 1 Teina Clark 1 Dahlia Tahu 1 Nadine Schmidt 1 Johnnie Tukwaho Goals 4 Teina Clark |
13 August 2007 3.30pm |
New South Wales | 16 – 38 | Queensland |
---|---|---|
Report | Tries 2 Rachele Whelan 1 Bianca Ambrum 1 Teresa Anderson 1 Kellie Batchelor 1 Suzanne Johnson 1 Leah Williams Goals 5 Kellie Batchelor |
Game 1
8 July 2008 |
New South Wales | 6 – 8 | Queensland |
---|---|---|
Tries Jessica Palmer 1 Goals Teina Clark 1 | Report | Tries 1 Steph Hancock 1 Tegan Rolfe |
Game 2
9 August 2008 |
Queensland | 46 – 4 | New South Wales |
---|---|---|
Tries Bianca Ambrum 3 Suzanne Johnson 2 Tarah Westera 2 Tegan Rolfe 1 Renae Kunst 1 Steph Hancock 1 Goals Steph Hancock 3 | Report Scores [37] | Tries 1 Lisa Fiaola |
18 July 2009 |
New South Wales | 14 – 20 | Queensland |
---|---|---|
Tries Poihaera Clark 1 Natalie Levy 1 Jessica Palmer 1 Goals Renee Gloss 1 | Report | Tries 1 Erin Elliott 1 Tahnee Norris 1 Nive Moefaauo 1 Tarah Westera Goals 1 Natalie Dwyer 1 Tegan Rolfe |
26 June 2010 |
Queensland | 36 – 6 | New South Wales |
---|---|---|
Tries Latisha Gary 2 Tegan Rolfe 2 Karina Brown 1 Natalie Dwyer 1 Suzanne Johnson 1 Goals Natalie Dwyer 4 | Report | Tries 1 Kylie Hilder Goals 1 Teina Clark |
25 May 2011 |
Queensland | 26 – 0 | New South Wales |
---|---|---|
Tries Bianca Ambrum 1 Natasha Baggow 1 Natalie Dwyer 1 Natalie Gala 1 Steph Hancock 1 Karyn Murphy 1 Goals Natalie Dwyer 1 | 1st: 14–0 2nd: 12–0 Report |
23 June 2012 |
New South Wales | 10 – 34 | Queensland |
---|---|---|
Tries Sam Bremner 1 Tarah Westera 1 Goals Maddie Studdon 1 | 1st: 10–16 2nd: 0–18 Report | Tries 4 Bianca Ambrum 2 Natalie Dwyer 1 Karina Brown 1 Karyn Murphy Goals 1 Amber Saltner |
Sunday, 7 April 2013 |
Queensland | 30 – 12 | New South Wales |
---|---|---|
Tries Bianca Ambrum 1 Jo Barrett 1 Steph Hancock 1 Renae Kunst 1 Tahnee Norris 1 Amber Saltner 1 Goals Amber Saltner 3 | 1st: 10–6 2nd: 20–6 Report | Tries 2 Tegan Chandler Goals 2 Margaret Watson |
Saturday, 19 July 2014 |
New South Wales | 10 – 26 | Queensland |
---|---|---|
Tries Kezie Apps 1 Teina Clark 1 Goals Maddie Studdon 3 | 1st: 0–16 2nd: 10–10 Report | Tries 1 Steph Hancock 1 Kellye Hodges 1 Jenni-Sue Hoepper 1 Renae Kunst 1 Deanna Turner Goals 2 Ali Brigginshaw 1 Jenni-Sue Hoepper |
Saturday, 27 June 2015 |
Queensland | 4 – 4 | New South Wales |
---|---|---|
Tries Chelsea Baker 1 | 1st: 4–0 2nd: 0–4 Report | Tries 1 Isabelle Kelly |
Saturday, 23 July 2016 |
Queensland | 4 – 8 | New South Wales |
---|---|---|
Tries: 1 Ali Brigginshaw (79') 1 Goals: nil Chelsea Baker 0/1 | 1st: 0–0 2nd: 4–8 Match Stats (NRL) Report | Tries: 1 1 (52') Simaima Taufa Goals: 2 2/2 Maddie Studdon (54', 76' pen) |
Sunday, 23 July 2017 |
New South Wales | 22 – 6 | Queensland |
---|---|---|
Tries: 5 Jessica Sergis (6', 11', 61') 3 Corban McGregor (51') 1 Vanessa Foliaki (55') 1 Goals: 1 Caitlin Moran 1/5 (12') | 1st: 10–6 2nd: 12–0 Match Stats (NRL) Report | Tries: 1 1 (21') Jenni-Sue Hoepper Goals: 1 1/1 Chelsea Baker (23') |
Friday, 22 June 2018 |
New South Wales | 16 – 10 | Queensland |
---|---|---|
Tries: 3 Isabelle Kelly (7', 54') 2 Nakia Davis-Welsh (36') 1 Goals: 2 Maddie Studdon 2/3 (9', 55') | 1st: 6–6 2nd: 10–4 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Report | Tries: 2 2 (12', 45') Karina Brown Goals: 1 1/2 Chelsea Baker (13') |
North Sydney Oval, Sydney Attendance: 6,824 Referee: Jon Stone, Peter Gough Player of the Match: Isabelle Kelly |
Friday, 21 June 2019 |
New South Wales | 14 – 4 | Queensland |
---|---|---|
Tries: 3 Jessica Sergis (38') 1 Shakiah Tungai (44') 1 Maddie Studdon (50') 1 Goals: 1 Kirra Dibb 1/2 (51') Maddie Studdon 0/1 | 1st: 0–4 2nd: 14–0 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Report | Tries: 1 1 (24') Tazmin Gray Goals: nil 0/1 Meg Ward |
North Sydney Oval, Sydney Attendance: 10,515 Referee: Grant Atkins, Belinda Sharpe Player of the Match: Maddie Studdon |
Friday, 13 November 2020 7:45 PM |
Queensland Women | 24 – 18 | New South Wales Women |
---|---|---|
Tries: 4 Tamika Upton (14', 43') 2 Tarryn Aiken (51') 1 Steph Hancock (57') 1 Goals: 4 Lauren Brown 4/4 (15', 44', 52', 58') | 1st: 6–6 2nd: 18–12 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Report | Tries: 4 1 (24') Kezie Apps 1 (59') Tiana Penitani 1 (57') Filomina Hanisi 1 (69') Botille Vette-Welsh Goals: 1 1/1 Melanie Howard (26') 0/1 Hannah Southwell 0/2 Quincy Dodd |
Friday, 25 June 2021 7:45 PM |
Queensland Women | 8 – 6 | New South Wales Women |
---|---|---|
Tries: 1 Destiny Brill (26') 1 Goals: 2 Lauren Brown 2/2 (24', 69' pen) | 1st: 6–4 2nd: 2–2 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Report | Tries: 1 1 (4') Isabelle Kelly Goals: 1 1/1 Maddie Studdon (52') 0/1 Hannah Southwell |
Friday. 24 June 2022 7:45pm |
New South Wales | 20 – 14 | Queensland |
---|---|---|
Tries: 3 Emma Tonegato (13') 1 Kirra Dibb (15') 1 Isabelle Kelly (67') 1 Goals: 4 Rachael Pearson 4/5 (14', 17', 27' pen, 41' pen) | 1st: 14–10 2nd: 6–4 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Reports [40] [41] [42] | Tries: 3 1 (8') Destiny Brill 1 (21') Tarryn Aiken 1 (56') Evania Pelite Goals: 1 1/2 Ali Brigginshaw (22') 0/2 Lauren Brown |
GIO Stadium, Canberra Attendance: 11,321 Referee: Belinda Sharpe Player of the Match: Isabelle Kelly (Nellie Doherty Medal) |
The two-match series was decided as the teams win one match each on aggregate. [43]
Queensland won by four points, 32–28.
Game 1
Thursday, 1 June 2023 7:45 PM |
New South Wales | 10 – 18 | Queensland |
---|---|---|
Tries: 2 Jessica Sergis (16') 1 Jaime Chapman (50') 1 Goals: 1 Jesse Southwell 1/2 (18') | 1st: 6–10 2nd: 4–8 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Reports [44] [45] | Tries: 4 2 (7', 45') Julia Robinson 1 (32') Tazmin Gray 1 (40') Emily Bass Goals: 1 1/4 Zahara Temara (34') |
CommBank Stadium, Parramatta Attendance: 12,972 Referee: Adam Gee Player of the Match: Keilee Joseph (Nellie Doherty Medal) |
Game 2
Thursday, 22 June 2023 7:45 PM |
Queensland | 14 – 18 | New South Wales |
---|---|---|
Tries: 3 Tamika Upton (17') 1 Emily Bass (25') 1 Tarryn Aiken (27') 1 Goals: 1 Zahara Temara 1/3 (29') | 1st: 6–14 2nd: 8–4 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Reports [46] [47] [48] | Tries: 3 2 (3', 40') Tiana Penitani 1 (68' penalty try) Yasmin Clydsdale Goals: 3 3/5 Jesse Southwell (9', 45', 69') |
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 18,275 Referee: Belinda Sharpe Player of the Match: Tazmin Gray (Nellie Doherty Medal) |
For the first time, in either the residential selection or Origin period, a three-match series was scheduled.
Game 1
Thursday, 16 May 2024 7:45 PM |
Queensland | 12 – 22 | New South Wales |
---|---|---|
Tries: 2 Tamika Upton (53') 1 Emily Bass (67') 1 Goals: 2 Zahara Temara 2/2 (53', 68') | 1st: 0–14 2nd: 12–8 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Reports [49] [50] | Tries: 3 1 (5') Emma Tonegato 1 (9') Jaime Chapman 1 (64') Caitlan Johnston Goals: 5 Rachael Pearson 5/5 (6', 10', 18' pen, 38' pen, 65') |
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 25,492 Referee: Kasey Badger Player of the Match: Yasmin Clydsdale |
Game 2
Thursday, 6 June 2024 7:45 PM |
New South Wales | 10 – 11 | Queensland |
---|---|---|
Tries: 2 Keeley Davis (24') 1 Tiana Penitani (58') 1 Goals: 1 Rachael Pearson 1/2 (25') | 1st: 6–0 2nd: 4–11 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Reports [51] [52] [53] | Tries: 2 1 (54') Shenae Ciesiolka 1 (61') Tarryn Aiken Goals: 1 1/2 Lauren Brown (63') Field Goals: 1 1 Lauren Brown (68') |
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle Attendance: 25,782 Referee: Belinda Sharpe Player of the Match: Shannon Mato |
Game 3
Thursday, 27 June 2024 7:45 PM |
Queensland | 22 – 6 | New South Wales |
---|---|---|
Tries: 3 Evania Pelite (1') 1 Julia Robinson (29') 1 Tazmin Rapana (67') 1 Goals: 5 Lauren Brown 4/4 (3', 8' pen, 31', 68') Romy Teitzel 1/1 (38' pen) | 1st: 14–0 2nd: 8–6 Highlights Match Stats (NRL) Reports [54] [55] | Tries: 1 1 (58') Jaime Chapman Goals: 1 Rachael Pearson 1/1 (59') |
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 22,819 Referee: Belinda Sharpe Player of the Match: Evania Pelite [56] Nellie Doherty Medal for Player of the Series: Shannon Mato [36] |
The State of Origin series is an annual best-of-three rugby league series between two Australian state representative sides, the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons.
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Also known as the Blues due to their sky blue jerseys, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against Queensland. For 2024, the team was coached by Michael Maguire and captained by Jake Trbojevic.
The Queensland rugby league team represents the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football. Nicknamed the "Maroons" after the colour of their jersey, they play three times a year against arch-rivals New South Wales in the State of Origin series. The team is currently coached by Billy Slater and captained by Daly Cherry-Evans, and is administered by the Queensland Rugby League. They play all of their home matches at Brisbane's Lang Park.
The New South Wales Women's rugby league team represents the Australian state of New South Wales in Women's rugby league football. Also known as the Sky Blues due to their sky blue jerseys, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against the neighboring team, the Queensland Women's rugby league team.
The Queensland women's rugby league team represents the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football. Nicknamed the "Maroons", after the colour of their jersey, the team compete in the annual Women's State of Origin game against arch-rivals New South Wales. Coached by Tahnee Norris and captained by Ali Brigginshaw, the team is administered by the Queensland Rugby League.
The Queensland Under-20 rugby league team, also known as Queensland Under-20s or Queensland U20, represents Queensland in the sport of rugby league at an under-20 age level. Since 2012, the team has played an annual fixture against the New South Wales Under-20s team for the Darren Lockyer Shield. The team features players selected from the NRL, Intrust Super Cup, Canterbury Cup NSW, Hastings Deering Colts and Jersey Flegg Cup competitions. They are administered by the Queensland Rugby League.
Women's rugby league is a popular women's sport in Australia. The sport has a high level of participation in the country both recreational and professional. Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) is the national governing body of the sport in Australia, organising the Australian Women's Rugby League, the Australian women's national team, and the nine state governing bodies of the game, among other duties. Women's participation of modern rugby league has been recorded since the early 1920s. It has since become one of Australia's most popular women's team sports.
Isabelle Maree Kelly is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL Women's Premiership and the Central Coast Roosters in the NSWRL Women's Premiership.
The New South Wales Under-16's rugby league team, also known as New South Wales Under-16s or New South Wales U16, represents New South Wales in the sport of rugby league at an under-16 age level. Since 2008, the team has played an annual fixture against the Queensland Under-16s team as a curtain-raiser to a State of Origin game. The team features players selected from New South Wales's premier under-16 rugby league competition, the Harold Matthews Cup and Andrew Johns Cup. They New South Wales Rugby League administered them.
The New South Wales Under-18's rugby league team, also known as New South Wales Under-18's or New South Wales U18, represents New South Wales in the sport of rugby league at an under-18 age level. Since 2008, the team has played an annual fixture against the Queensland Under-18's team as a curtain raiser to a State of Origin game. The team features players selected from New South Wales's premier under-18 rugby league competition, the S.G. Ball Cup. They are administered by the New South Wales Rugby League.
The 2018 Women's State of Origin was the first State of Origin rugby league match between the New South Wales and Queensland women's teams played at North Sydney Oval on 22 June 2018.
The 2019 State of Origin series was the 38th annual best-of-three series between the Queensland and New South Wales rugby league teams. Before this series, Queensland had won 21 times, NSW 14 times, with two series drawn.
The 2019 Women's State of Origin was the second State of Origin rugby league match between the New South Wales and Queensland women's teams played at North Sydney Oval on 21 June 2019. The match was the second played under the State of Origin banner.
Tarryn Aiken is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays as a five-eighth for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL Women's Premiership and the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the QRL Women's Premiership.
Vanessa Foliaki is a New Zealand-born Australian rugby league footballer who plays for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Women in the NRL Women's Premiership and the Wentworthville Magpies in the NSWRL Women's Premiership.
Tamika Upton is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL Women's Premiership. Her position is fullback. She previously played for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRLW, CQ Capras and Burleigh Bears in the QRL Women's Premiership.
The 2023 Women's State of Origin Series was the sixth official Women's State of Origin rugby league series between New South Wales and Queensland. It was the first time in Women's State of Origin history that it was a series rather than a one-off game. The first game was played at Parramatta's Commbank Stadium on 2 June 2022 and the second was played at Townsville's Queensland Country Bank Stadium. The teams have played each other annually since 1999 with the 2023 series being the sixth played under the State of Origin banner. Queensland were crowned champions having scored four more points than New South Wales as the teams won a game each in the two-game series.
The Wheelchair State Challenge is an annual wheelchair rugby league fixture between the Australian state representative sides of New South Wales and Queensland. First played in 2015 as the Wheelchair Interstate Challenge, the competition was rebranded as the Wheelchair State of Origin in 2019, and as the Wheelchair State Challenge in 2023.
The 2024 Women's State of Origin Series was the seventh official Women's State of Origin rugby league series between New South Wales and Queensland. It was the first time in Women's State of Origin history that it was a three-game series. The first game was played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on 16 May 2024. The second game on 6 June at Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium, and the third game decider was played at Townsville's Queensland Country Bank Stadium on 27 June 2024. The teams have played each other annually since 1999 with the 2024 series being the seventh played under the State of Origin banner. Queensland were crowned champions in the first decider in front of a packed home crowd. Shannon Mato named Player of the Series.