Veteran Parker claims Origin gong

Too old? Too good, more like it.

Queensland veteran Corey Parker epitomised the Maroons defying their critics in their emphatic State of Origin series win in Brisbane on Wednesday.

In a series where many questioned the age of several of Queensland’s stars, 33-year-old Parker walked off with the Wally Lewis Medal as the player of the series.

It was a fitting reward for the evergreen backrower, who again played a key role as the Maroons claimed a record 52-6 victory over NSW in the series decider.

Parker made 19 runs for 134 metres, dished three of his trademark offloads and also racked up a try assist and four tackle busts.

It capped a series where Parker made more than 100 metres in each game, emphasising his importance to Mal Meninga’s dominant Maroons outfit.

Parker was humble in his acceptance of the award, praising Queensland’s spirit in overcoming the knockers.

“If we find ourselves down and out we just find something at times,” he said.

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