‘It's Tom's time': How Maroons vindicated Slater's biggest coaching call
But in the aftermath of his side's thrilling 26-24 triumph to keep the series alive in Perth, Maroons coach Billy Slater offered an emphatic response when asked if his call had been vindicated.
'You won't get a negative word out of me for Daly Cherry-Evans, he's a wonderful player and has been a wonderful player for a long period of time,' Slater declared.
'It's Tom's time now. He didn't surprise any of us, I don't think, in what he put out there, so I'm really proud of him. It's the first time he's worn the No.7 jersey for Queensland, and I wouldn't imagine it would be the last.'
Cherry-Evans' snubbing marked the first time in nearly three decades Queensland had dropped their captain midway through a series, but Dearden demonstrated he was the future of the state alongside new leader, Cameron Munster.
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The North Queensland Cowboys star's ability to dig deep and straight into the defensive line led to Kurt Capewell's try and the first for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, while his pinpoint crossfield bomb for 'The Hammer' created his second.
He ran with vigour for his 64 metres, yet more impressively, he came up with 25 tackles for no misses to announce himself as Queensland's long-term halfback – a role that appeared Sam Walker's destiny.
In what was the first time Dearden partnered with Cameron Munster in the halves, the pair linked up in a dominant opening 40 minutes to lead by 20 points.
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Courier-Mail
6 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
AFL chief: Injuries not fixture to blame for 2025 season blowouts
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