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.
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Ponga did not shine in the opening loss to NSW and will need to get the job done in Western Australia if he is to hang on to his position. The chances of Brisbane star fullback Reece Walsh playing for Queensland this year are alive and kicking after his endorsement by coach Billy Slater. The 22-year-old made a stunning return from a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury in the Broncos' 44-14 win over Gold Coast on Saturday after a six-week absence, scoring two tries and having a hand in two others while running for 163m. Walsh was the incumbent Maroons fullback but his injury opened the door for Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga to return to the No.1 jersey for the 18-6 loss in game one at Suncorp Stadium. While Walsh has not played enough football in the last two months to dislodge Ponga for game two in Perth, he is very much in Slater's thoughts for this series. 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It was great to see Reece back playing the way he was (for Brisbane). He's got a real spring in his step and a real energy about him. "I felt he made a real difference to the Broncos' performance." When asked if Walsh was still in his plans for this series, Slater was emphatic. "Absolutely. There is consideration all the time," he said. Ponga did not shine in the opening loss to NSW and will need to get the job done in Western Australia if he is to hang on to his position.
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an hour ago
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Billy Slater opens up on phone call with Daly Cherry-Evans... and responds to scapegoat claim
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