PORT ADELAIDE forward Todd Marshall’s career best season has been rewarded with selection in the New South Wales State of Origin team for 2021.

Selected annually by a panel of selectors, the NSW Australian Football History Society side is strong on paper this year with Sydney coach John Longmire to lead a side featuring Geelong’s Tom Hawkins and Hawthorn’s Luke Breust as captain and co-captain respectively.

Marshall, who grew up in the NSW Riverina town of Deniliquin, has played 20 games so far in 2021 - more than any previous season - booting 23 goals.

His previous best was 11 goals in 14 games in 2020.

Averaging 4.1 marks per game, Marshall has recorded career game highs for disposals (19 v Carlton Round 5) and marks (9 v GWS Round 20) as part of the most consistent season in his five-season career.

The 22-year-old played his 50^th game against GWS in Round 20. He was selected in the forward pocket of the NSW team by selectors Richard Colless, Gerard Healy, Mike Sheahan, Wayne Carey, Mark Maclure and Rod Gillett.

Among the other players selected is Marshall’s former Port Adelaide teammate Dougal Howard at full back, Sydney co-captain Dane Rampe at centre half back, and GWS midfielder Jacob Hopper and Sydney utility Isaac Heeney as followers.

Selectors also awarded Sydney’s Errol Gulden the Stiff Medal for Emerging Talent, Hawkins the Mohr Medal for leading goalkicker and Hopper the Carey Bunton Medal as best performing player.

NSW STATE OF ORIGIN TEAM 2021

Selectors: Richard Colless (Convenor), Gerard Healy, Mike Sheahan, Wayne Carey, Mark Maclure and Rod Gillett

Coach: John Longmire Sydney (Corowa Rutherglen)

Assistant Coaches:

Jarrad McVeigh Sydney (Pennant Hills)

Ben Matthews Sydney (Corowa-Rutherglen)

Mark McVeigh GWS (Pennant Hills)

Adam Schneider GWS (Osborne)

Greg Stafford Melbourne (Western Suburbs)