Duel Indigenous and Māori All Star Olivia Kernick has added another medal to her collection after being named Women's State of Origin Player of the Series after NSW reclaimed bragging rights.
The 24-year-old was awarded the Nellie Doherty Medal in Newcastle on Thursday night after the Maroons got one back over their rivals, winning 18-14, after going two-nil down and handing back the shield in the best of three series a fortnight earlier.
Kernick starred in game two in Sydney by running in two tries, while posting game highs running with the ball and post-contact, while leading the Blues for tackles made in pouring rain to collect Player of the Match honours.
The win is NSW's first since 2022.
Olivia Kernick with the fend 🤩#MadeForMore pic.twitter.com/YTmlZLFudn
— NSW Blues Women (@nswbluesw) May 15, 2025
On Thursday, Kernick led the match for tackles (40) and had 10 hit ups, but couldn't stop the visitors taking something away from their 2025 campaign.
Makenzie Weale crashed over early to give Queensland first points in addition to disallowed efforts at either end during opening exchanges.
The Maroons came into the contest without star fullback, 2023 Dally M Medallist and Indigenous All Star Tamika Upton, who was injured in game two.
Indigenous All Star and Jillaroo Keilee Joseph was also ruled out for medical reasons.
Indigenous All Star Jaime Chapman was dragged into touch diving to the right corner, denying NSW their first, while Samoan international Sienna Lofipo was caught millimetres from the dead ball line with her free-hand when diving on a loose ball in-goal.
The Blues took an 8-6 lead into the break after Jess Surgess crossed over on the left edge in the 20th minute before a stunning cut-down ball from Jesse Southwell put Jayme Fressard in for a second.
Jocelyn Kelleher firmed the home side's chances of a series whitewash before back-to-back tries from Romy Teitzel and Chelsea Lenarduzzi put the Maroons' noses back in front with little time remaining.
Queensland held out repeat sets at their line in the dying minutes.
Across the series, Kernick ran 439 metres, had 11 tackle breaks, two line breaks and a try assist.
"To the Queensland girls, unreal game, game three. Hate you," she joked on recieveing the Nellie Doherty Medal.
"I've had so much fun the last few weeks. To my girls, honestly, we have had so many things happen personally to us….My favoruite thing about this campaign is we've got around each other and we've been there for each other every step of the way.
"I've had so much fun with you guys, and (I'm) really proud."
The Origin arena was Kernick's return to representative football after being controversially left out of the Jillaroos squad following the 2024 NRLW season - the same year she was crowned the competition's best on Dally M night.
She has now played four consecutive series with NSW.
