Punishing back-rower Nate Myles didn’t need any added motivation for Wednesday night’s State of Origin battle with NSW.

But if he did, it came when he took possession of a medal which holds a special significance with the Queensland players.

The tough Titans forward became only the 20th player since Wally Lewis to receive the Dick Turner medal in recognition of his 20th Origin game for Queensland on Wednesday night.

He received his medal — named in honour of Queensland’s long-serving team manager Dick “Tosser” Turner who died in 2008 — from teammate Johnathan Thurston.

It’s tradition for the last player to receive the medal to present it to the next player.

Queensland-born Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan also handed out the game jumpers to the players, including Petero Civoniceva’s last maroon jersey on Sunday night.

Champion fullback Billy Slater was to have received his medal along with Myles but he will now have to wait until next year’s series after withdrawing from the decider with a knee injury.

While the player are given their medals after 20 games, they are taken back once they retire to have their entire Origin record engraved on them.

Turner never played for Queensland but he embodied the Maroon pride, passion and spirit.

He was widely acknowledged for having had a significant impact on the state’s Origin success.

The medal named in his honour and in recognition of his services to Queensland rugby league has been presented to a number of great Queensland players over the years, including Wally Lewis, Allan Langer, Darren Lockyer, Gene Miles, Paul Vautin, Bob Lindner, Civoniceva and current coach Mal Meninga.