Maroons front runners for QSport Awards honours

The Queensland Maroons State of Origin team and head coach Billy Slater are leading contenders for prestigious honours at the 27th Annual Queensland Sport Awards.

Following an emotion-charged victory over the New South Wales Blues, the Maroons are in the mix to take out the hotly contested XXXX Queensland Sport Team of the Year.

And fittingly, Slater is a front runner for Queensland Sport Coach of the Year after his efforts in guiding the Maroons to the 2-1 series victory in just his first season at the helm of the Origin team.

Slater’s coaching was defined by his trust in his playing group, with seven players making their Origin debuts across the 2022 series.

A hallmark of the Maroons’ campaign was Slater’s vison that connected players with the history of Origin and Queensland communities, most notably this year the people of Warwick who welcomed the team to their region before Game Three.

QRL chief executive officer Rohan Sawyer congratulated both the Maroons squad and Slater on their recognition within the QSport Awards.

“These awards are always extremely sought after and competitive across many sports, so it’s wonderful recognition for our Origin program to have our men’s team and head coach in line for these honours,” Sawyer said.  

“Game III of this year’s series will be remembered as one of the great Origin matches that will inspire the next generation of Queenslanders for many years to come.”

There could yet be more good news for rugby league fans, with the QRL nominating emerging star Patrick Carrigan for The Courier-Mail / Channel Seven Queensland Sport Star of the Year award.

The contenders for this award will be released in the lead up to the QSport presentation evening at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on November 24.

This year’s awards will carry a strong rugby league favour with the Ipswich State High School team nominated for the Queensland Junior Sport Team of the Year and the 2021 National Rugby League grand final a contender for the Queensland Sport Event of the Year.

Maroons great Johnathan Thurston and former administrator, the late Harry Sunderland, will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Award nominees

XXXX Queensland Sport Team of the Year

Aus Crocs Under 23 Men’s White Water Rafting team (rafting)

Australian Motocross of Nations team (motorcycling)

Australian Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay team (swimming)

Queensland Maroons State of Origin team (rugby league)

Queensland Sport Coach of the Year

Mike Barber (athletics)

Dean Boxall (swimming)

Mark Miller (rafting)

Lisa Morgan (hockey)

Vince Raleigh (swimming)

Billy Slater (rugby league)

Nick Such (basketball)

Queensland Junior Sport Team of the Year

Brisbane North Little League representative team (baseball)

Ipswich SHS NRL Schoolboy Cup team (rugby league)

Queensland Under 18 Female Gold team (hockey)

South Queensland Under 18 boys team (basketball)

Queensland Junior Motocross team (motorcycling)

Queensland Sport Event of the Year

Brisbane Lions v Richmond Tigers Elimination Final (AFL)

Brisbane Cycling Festival (cycling)

2021 NRL Grand Final (rugby league)

Outback Queensland Masters (golf)

Vicki Wilson SHS Championship (netball)

Winternationals (drag racing)

Hall of Fame inductees

Jamie Dwyer (hockey)

Laura Geitz (netball)

Audrey Mclaughlin (softball)

Sally Pearson (athletics)

Harry Sunderland (rugby league)

Johnathan Thurston (rugby league)