2025 Women’s State of Origin Game Player of the Match Tips - Who will be POTM in Origin 1?

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: 30 Apr 2025

Jeremy Darke 30 Apr 2025

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Queensland Maroons Women vs NSW Blues Women expert predictions for Game 1 Player of the Match
A Queenslander has rarely missed the award in the last 8 games
Jessika Elliston (QLD) and Olivia Kernick (NSW) are top predictions

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Olivia Kernick of the Blues (Getty Images)

State of Origin Player of the Match Tips

Queensland vs New South Wales gets the 2025 Women’s State of Origin underway on Thursday with Player of the Match predictions available.

The Player of the Match award is not always handed out to the woman who scores or creates, but is given to the player that has worked the hardest throughout the match.

In recent years the Player of the match has been dominated by the forwards who have shown the true Origin spirit and done the work in the trenches.

The player of the match has even gone to a player on a losing side that has shown the most heart and determination.

A Queenslander has won the award in 6 of the last 8 games, since 2020
Both Queensland players who won the award last season will not play in 2025.
Only one player Tazmin Gray (QLD) has won the player of the Match award twice
A forward has won the award in 5 of 8 games since 2020.

Our picks for the Player of the Match Award for Game 1 of the 2025 Women’s Origin Series between Queensland and New South Wales. You can also read our Origin 1 match preview and first tryscorer tips.

Jessika Elliston - QLD

The Queensland prop Jessika Elliston is a work horse averaging 22.2 tackles per game for the Titans in 2024.

Elliston was a key piece to the win for QLD in the 2024 series, averaging 124.3 run metres per game, ranking seventh in the series along with 14 tackles.

Olivia Kernick - NSW

Olivia Kernick is the definition of an Origin lock constantly working in attack and defence.

The NSW No. 13 ranked first among forwards with an average of 152.5 run metres in the 2024 series along with ranking third with 25.3 tackles per game.

Over the last two series, Kernick has had a tackle efficiency over 90% making 140 tackles in 5 matches.

Verdict

QLD Maroons Women v NSW Blues Women

Game 1 is expected to be a tough battle through the middle which is why a forward from both teams has been predicted, Olivia Kernick for the Blues and Jessika Elliston for the Maroons.

Olivia Kernick

Player of the Match

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Jessika Elliston

Player of the Match

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