Reece Walsh in State of Origin twist as Slater makes decision on Daly Cherry-Evans
Billy Slater is reportedly leaning towards axing Daly Cherry-Evans as Queensland halfback and captain for State of Origin 2, while Reece Walsh made a stunning late push to unseat Kalyn Ponga as fullback. However there were bizarre scenes involving Walsh when the fullback appeared to re-injure his knee in the Broncos' 44-14 win over the Titans on Saturday night.
Walsh returned after a six-week absence for the clash at Suncorp Stadium, despite whispers he wasn't quite ready. And the gamble appeared to backfire on coach Michael Maguire when Walsh went down in agony with 10 minutes remaining.
The fullback caught a high ball near his line, before pivoting on his troublesome knee and hitting the deck with no-one around him. Walsh grimaced in pain and was hobbling around, but pushed the trainer away who was trying to help him.
It looked for sure as though Walsh had re-injured his right knee, ruining any faint hope he had of a State of Origin recall. But he pushed through the pain, and bizarrely scored two tries in the next five minutes.
First he burned Chris Randall with a scintillating solo try from a scrum, stepping off his left leg and charging over. He then backed up on the inside after a break from Kotoni Staggs and managed to sprint to the line for the Broncos' eighth try.
He didn't appear to be running at full speed, and it remains to be seen whether he's done more damage to his right knee. Another stint on the sidelines would be a hammer blow for the Broncos, and questions will be asked if he made his return too early.
Eyebrows were also raised that he was allowed to stay on the field after appearing to aggravate his knee, given the Broncos had already sealed the victory. It was the same situation when he played out the match after suffering the injury the first time in Round 7.
His two-try performance would have given Slater plenty to ponder given Ponga hasn't been in the greatest of form. Ponga has probably done enough to retain his spot, and the sight of Walsh hobbling around would have worried Slater no doubt.
Walsh no need to be brave. If your struggling or the knee isn't right than get off the field #nrlBroncosTitans
— gemma rogers (@gemma92rogers) June 7, 2025
How is Walsh running on that terribly injured knee?#dramaqueen
— MickyG (@micklegend) June 7, 2025
8 mins to go, up 32-8, Walsh injures the same knee he previously injured .. & wants to stay on the field 🤦🏼♂️ if I'm coach I'm on the field & drag the muppet off the field, it's a long season 🤷♂️@brisbanebroncos #NRLBroncosTitans
— MushroomFunGuy🍄 (@Bemboka23) June 7, 2025
As for Cherry-Evans, reports have emerged that Slater is on the cusp of axing his captain for Game 2. The veteran halfback was poor in the second half against Newcastle on Thursday night, while Tom Dearden has been in much better form.
is reporting that Slater is leaning towards picking Dearden at halfback to partner Cameron Munster in Origin 2, and leaving Cherry-Evans out of his 17 altogether. The team will be announced officially on Monday evening, but it appears as though DCE's Origin career is over.
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If he's left out of the 17 it will see Kurt Mann win a spot on the bench, and he might even start at hooker given Slater's preference to have Harry Grant come off the interchange. The Maroons are 0-4 in games that Grant has started, and he's been much more effective when he's kept out of the rough and tumble of the first 10 minutes.
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