Maroons' pick-and-stick culture called into question
Ricky Stuart has suggested Queensland have broken their pick-and-stick culture by dropping Daly Cherry-Evans for State of Origin II to play Tom Dearden at No.7.
Maroons coach Billy Slater will on Monday morning confirm his 20-man squad for the Maroons' must-win clash, with AAP told Cherry-Evans will be missing from the side.
Second-rower Beau Fermor has also been dropped, with Kurt Capewell returning to the side and Kurt Mann the new No.14 with Dearden at halfback.
Ezra Mam is also set to be named as a reserve as part of an extended squad, just three NRL games after his comeback from a drug-driving ban.
The Broncos five-eighth will undergo scans on Monday morning in order to be cleared to join camp, after suffering a knock to his knee on Saturday night.
Canberra forward Corey Horsburgh and Melbourne centre Jack Howarth are the other reserves, after the Maroons were beaten 18-6 in the series opener.
But it is the dropping of Cherry-Evans that has created shockwaves, with the No.7 the first Maroons captain dropped mid-series in almost 30 years.
Speaking before the 36-year-old's non-selection emerged on Sunday, former Blues halfback and coach Stuart had a subtle dig at Queensland over the call.
"Queensland have got this culture of they pick and stick," the current Canberra coach said.
"They've got this culture that they talk about in regards to, you know, hanging tough in tough times.
"So I think that Cherry-Evans will keep his position unless they're going to break their culture.
"(Otherwise) they're going to break their attitude in regards to what they've been promoting for so many years."
The Maroons have long preached about a pick-and-stick culture, which was evident through their dynasty between 2006 and 2017.
Stuart coached NSW in two of those seasons, falling to series losses in 2011 and 2012.
NSW players were also surprised when told of Cherry-Evans' omission on Sunday afternoon.
"It's their call," second-rower Liam Martin said.
"Obviously they were disappointed with the first game. That's Billy's call, it's what they think is right for the team. But we've just got to respond to that now."
Dearden has started in the halves four times previously for Queensland, after first partnering Cherry-Evans in the Maroons' 2022 series-decider success.
The 24-year-old played five-eighth for Australia in last year's Pacific Cup win, and has had an impressive start to 2025 with North Queensland.
Dearden has scored four tries for the Cowboys, set up 11 and created 16 linbereaks, bettering Cherry-Evans' numbers at Manly in all categories.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Blues accuse Maroons of 'mind games' over State of Origin II team selection
NSW back-rower Angus Crichton has questioned the make-up of Queensland's squad for State of Origin II, while vowing to "terrorise" Maroons halfback Tom Dearden. Crichton dissected the Maroons' line-up, which was published on Wednesday a week out from Origin II in Perth. ABC Sport will have live blog coverage of the State of Origin series. Jeremiah Nanai and Pat Carrigan have been dropped back to the interchange bench, while Kurt Capewell is listed to start at second row and Trent Loiero at lock. Daly Cherry-Evans's axing as captain and halfback was confirmed on Monday, with Dearden to wear the number seven jersey. "Surely Nanai's not on the bench and surely Patty's not on the bench as well," Crichton said. "I think they're trying to play mind games with us by naming those guys there. I can't see Patty or Jeremiah not starting. He (Nanai) was one of their best last game. "They played all right in that last game. Jeremiah was a point of difference for them on the kick chase, and some of his defence was good. "Then Patty, he's won the Wally Lewis Medal before, so it goes without saying … they might be trying to play mind games, but we're more focused on ourselves." Crichton, who earned man-of-the-series honours last year, said he planned to target Dearden. "It's my job as a back-rower to try and terrorise the opposition halfback," Crichton said. "The more I can get into a physical battle with them, the less we see them. "Some of my best games have been when I've done that, so I'm looking to recreate that with Tommy. I really like him, but it's different when you're playing. "He is a strong little bastard, so he will be running hard. It's a big call for Queensland, he is stepping into the number seven jersey for the first time. "I know he will be able to bring his best. I just have to make sure I am bringing better." The other major talking point from Origin I was the Maroons' decision to avoid sending a kick-off in the direction of Spencer Leniu. Queensland kicked off to the left and away from Payne Haas for the first two restarts of the match, setting up Mitch Barnett and Max King for the return runs. They then sent the next two kick-offs to the right and away from an infuriated Leniu after he had entered the field, again setting up King for the returns. Maroons coach Billy Slater claimed this week it was a decision made "on the run" due to his side being stripped for numbers. But Crichton suggested it was a premeditated call from the Maroons. "I know it was a deliberate decision," Crichton said. "I've heard that from people that were in there. They were told don't kick it to Payne or Spencer. "Every rugby league fan wants to see [Leniu take the return], so hopefully they'll do it this time." AAP
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Angus Crichton calls out Maroons' team-list mind games
Angus Crichton has accused Queensland of subterfuge by naming a hard-to-believe team list for State of Origin II, vowing to terrorise new half Tom Dearden regardless of which forward is beside him. In a wide-ranging interview from NSW camp, Crichton also took a subtle jab at the Maroons for refusing to kick off to Spencer Leniu or Payne Haas in the Origin series opener. But it is the Maroons' published line-up for Origin II in Perth next Wednesday that Crichton finds hardest to believe after the Blues' series-opening 18-6 win in Brisbane. Aside from axing captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, Queensland coach Billy Slater has also dropped Jeremiah Nanai and Pat Carrigan back to the bench. The changes leave Kurt Capewell listed to start at second row and Trent Loiero at lock, but Crichton is having none of the Maroons' claims. "Surely Nanai's not on the bench and surely Patty's not on the bench as well," Crichton said. "I think they're trying to play mind games with us by naming those guys there. I can't see Patty or Jeremiah not starting. He (Nanai) was one of their best last game. "They played all right in that last game. Jeremiah was a point of difference for them on the kick chase, and some of his defence was good. "Then Patty, he's won the Wally Lewis Medal before, so it goes without saying ... they might be trying to play mind games, but we're more focused on ourselves." Regardless of what the Maroons do, Crichton is looking forward to getting at Dearden. The NSW second-rower earned man-of-the-series honours last year after the way he physically went after Cherry-Evans, and he plans to target Dearden in the same way. "It's my job as a back-rower to try and terrorise the opposition halfback," Crichton said. "The more I can get into a physical battle with them, the less we see them. "Some of my best games have been when I've done that, so I'm looking to recreate that with Tommy. I really like him, but it's different when you're playing. "He is a strong little bastard, so he will be running hard. It's a big call for Queensland, he is stepping into the No.7 jersey for the first time. "I know he will be able to bring his best. I just have to make sure I am bringing better." The other major talking point from Origin I was the Maroons' decision to not send a kick-off in the direction of Leniu, who has become arch-enemy No.1 in Queensland. Queensland kicked off to the left and away from Payne Haas for the game's first two restarts, setting up Mitch Barnett and Max King for the return runs. They then sent the next two kick-offs to the right and away from an infuriated Leniu after he had entered the field, again setting up King for the returns. Slater claimed this week it was a decision made "on the run" due to the Maroons being stripped for numbers, but Crichton suggested he knew it was a premeditated call. "I know it was a deliberate decision," Crichton said. "I've heard that from people that were in there. They were told don't kick it to Payne (Haas) or Spencer. "Every rugby league fan wants to see (Leniu take the return), so hopefully they'll do it this time."
West Australian
3 hours ago
- West Australian
Angus Crichton calls out Maroons' team-list mind games
Angus Crichton has accused Queensland of subterfuge by naming a hard-to-believe team list for State of Origin II, vowing to terrorise new half Tom Dearden regardless of which forward is beside him. In a wide-ranging interview from NSW camp, Crichton also took a subtle jab at the Maroons for refusing to kick off to Spencer Leniu or Payne Haas in the Origin series opener. But it is the Maroons' published line-up for Origin II in Perth next Wednesday that Crichton finds hardest to believe after the Blues' series-opening 18-6 win in Brisbane. Aside from axing captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, Queensland coach Billy Slater has also dropped Jeremiah Nanai and Pat Carrigan back to the bench. The changes leave Kurt Capewell listed to start at second row and Trent Loiero at lock, but Crichton is having none of the Maroons' claims. "Surely Nanai's not on the bench and surely Patty's not on the bench as well," Crichton said. "I think they're trying to play mind games with us by naming those guys there. I can't see Patty or Jeremiah not starting. He (Nanai) was one of their best last game. "They played all right in that last game. Jeremiah was a point of difference for them on the kick chase, and some of his defence was good. "Then Patty, he's won the Wally Lewis Medal before, so it goes without saying ... they might be trying to play mind games, but we're more focused on ourselves." Regardless of what the Maroons do, Crichton is looking forward to getting at Dearden. The NSW second-rower earned man-of-the-series honours last year after the way he physically went after Cherry-Evans, and he plans to target Dearden in the same way. "It's my job as a back-rower to try and terrorise the opposition halfback," Crichton said. "The more I can get into a physical battle with them, the less we see them. "Some of my best games have been when I've done that, so I'm looking to recreate that with Tommy. I really like him, but it's different when you're playing. "He is a strong little bastard, so he will be running hard. It's a big call for Queensland, he is stepping into the No.7 jersey for the first time. "I know he will be able to bring his best. I just have to make sure I am bringing better." The other major talking point from Origin I was the Maroons' decision to not send a kick-off in the direction of Leniu, who has become arch-enemy No.1 in Queensland. Queensland kicked off to the left and away from Payne Haas for the game's first two restarts, setting up Mitch Barnett and Max King for the return runs. They then sent the next two kick-offs to the right and away from an infuriated Leniu after he had entered the field, again setting up King for the returns. Slater claimed this week it was a decision made "on the run" due to the Maroons being stripped for numbers, but Crichton suggested he knew it was a premeditated call. "I know it was a deliberate decision," Crichton said. "I've heard that from people that were in there. They were told don't kick it to Payne (Haas) or Spencer. "Every rugby league fan wants to see (Leniu take the return), so hopefully they'll do it this time."
