Regional players make up bulk of Maroons team for State of Origin II

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7 hours ago

Maroons coach Billy Slater will rely on bush battlers to keep Queensland alive in the 2025 State of Origin series.
Most of the Queensland players named in the team for game two were developed in regional pathway programs and rural communities.
Tom Dearden is one of 14 players from regional Queensland named in the 20-man team.
Dearden will take on more responsibility than ever this week by replacing Daly Cherry-Evans as the Maroons starting number 7.
But his mum Andrea Dearden isn't worried.
She said the Cowboys co-captain would fulfil a dream held since his Mackay junior footy days when he takes to the field on Wednesday night.
"He just loved playing the game, he gave everything 100 per cent.
"It is extra pressure but Tom will do his best."
Maroons coach Billy Slater, from Innisfail himself, said every player earned their place through hard work.
"We're up against a good footy team, but I think we haven't shown our best yet," Slater said last week.
The central Queensland town of Charleville is dubbed Kurt's-ville when local Kurt Capewell makes the Queensland team.
But this time a large contingent of his hometown supporters will be in the stands to cheer on the Warriors second-rower.
The 31-year-old was not named for game one and had to work his way back into the side by improving his form in club games.
His father Darryl said the impact was significant.
"Even though Kurt would never show it, he was bitterly disappointed not to play for Queensland in Brisbane," Mr Capewell said.
The family, who still live in Charleville, said the small town always got a boost when being represented on the national stage.
"It gives them another reason to watch the game, they get more involved," Mr Capewell said.
Queensland debutant Kurt Mann is achieving a State of Origin dream the 32-year-old thought might never come true.
Joel Mann this week reminisced on his brother's journey from the Winton juniors to playing off the Maroons' bench.
"Mum and Dad dragged him all around central Queensland with 800, 900-kilometre round trips every Saturday," he said.
The Bulldogs lock is preparing to make his Queensland debut as the second oldest State of Origin player to do so.
His brother said all those lengthy trips for a game of footy have finally been rewarded.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Queensland Rugby League's pathways manager Glenn Ottaway said the Sunshine State always represented the regions well.
But he said in game two of the 2025 State of Origin series, kids from Winton, Charleville, and Mackay could really see themselves on the field.
"When you see these players and hear they are proud of where they came from, it becomes real," Mr Ottaway said.