In a significant shift for the Maroons, coach Billy Slater has reportedly made the bold decision to drop captain Daly Cherry-Evans from the squad for Game Two of the State of Origin series in Perth. This marks a rare occurrence as it’s the first time since 1996 that a skipper has been removed mid-series. Following a disappointing loss at Suncorp Stadium, where the Maroons recorded their first back-to-back defeat at home since 1998, Cherry-Evans is expected to be replaced by Tom Dearden in the halfback position.
Cherry-Evans has been a consistent presence in the State of Origin arena since 2018 and has steered the ship as captain since 2019, assuming the role from Greg Inglis at the behest of former coach Kevin Walters. The decision to replace him has been described by Walters as one of the most significant coaching calls in recent memory for Queensland.
In a discussion on Fox Sports, Walters reflected on the magnitude of the decision, recalling comparisons to other notable selections in Origin history. “It’s a huge decision,” he stated, noting that from Queensland’s perspective, few decisions have weighed as heavily.
Trevor Gillmeister was the last Maroons captain to be dropped mid-series, following a victorious 1995 campaign, which was contradicted by a loss in the series opener the following year. Coach Paul Vautin then made drastic changes, including adding Walters to the bench. The team ultimately was swept 3-0 that series.
While Walters admitted he couldn’t provide a clear answer to the dilemma surrounding Cherry-Evans, he expressed relief that the burden of this decision did not fall on his shoulders. He conveyed the difficulty of weighing the benefits of keeping Cherry-Evans, with the risk of further losses against the potential to re-energise the team by introducing new talent.
Ultimately, the focus is now on how the selectors and Slater can craft the best possible team for Queensland moving forward. Despite the challenges involved in making such a pivotal decision, Walters trusts Slater’s judgment and the support of his advisory team, emphasising the tough choices that come with high-stakes coaching roles.