'It's Tom's time' - Maroons move on from Cherry-Evans
Billy Slater has declared it's Tom Dearden's time to own Queensland's No.7 jersey, after the new Maroons' halfback vindicated the call to move on from Daly Cherry-Evans.
Slater's selection bombshell to axe Cherry-Evans from the Maroons' side after the 18-6 game-one loss at Suncorp Stadium was always going to be one the coach was judged on.
The decision to move on from Cherry-Evans marked the first time Queensland had dropped a first-choice halfback for a live rubber since 2001, and the first time a captain was dropped mid-series this century.
But the gamble paid dividends at a wet and slippery Optus Stadium on Wednesday night, with Dearden providing a steady hand in his first go in the No.7 jersey.
The North Queensland halfback played crucial roles in three of the Maroons' four first-half tries, before they held on as their 26-6 lead shrunk into a 26-24 victory.
Cherry-Evans has captained the most games of any Queenslander this century, but Slater said the time was right for a changing of the guard.
"You won't get a negative word out of me for Daly Cherry-Evans," Slater said.
"He's a wonderful player, and has been a wonderful player for a long period of time.
"It's Tom's time now. And he didn't surprise any of us, I don't think, in what he put out there tonight.
"I'm really proud of him. That's the first time he's worn the number seven jersey for Queensland. I wouldn't imagine it'd be the last."
Dearden dug into the line for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's first try, before he kicked across field for the winger's second moments later.
But the new No.7's best play came later in the first half, when he went to the left, created numbers and gave Kurt Mann the chance to offload for a Kurt Capewell try.
There were issues in defence down his right edge in the second half as NSW fought back, but he was never bullied by the Blues and neither did they run over the top of him.
Slater's other big selection gamble in recalling Capewell also proved a winner, with the Warriors second-rower providing Queensland with vital grit to go with his try.
Capewell is the unenviable leader for missed tackles this NRL season - 75 from 13 games - but that didn't faze Slater at all.
"There was a bit of talk about the number of missed tackles on his stat sheet. I actually didn't know that until I read it in the paper," Slater said.
"It probably goes to show that I don't look at numbers.
"When I look at habits in players, I look at their actions and how they contribute to their footy team and he has done an amazing job.
"There's a reason why the Warriors are doing well, because they've got players like Kurt Capewell in their team.
"That's what successful footy teams look like - they've got hard working players that are willing to put everything into the footy team.
"His selection might have surprised a few, but it wasn't that out of the blue for me."
Billy Slater has declared it's Tom Dearden's time to own Queensland's No.7 jersey, after the new Maroons' halfback vindicated the call to move on from Daly Cherry-Evans.
Slater's selection bombshell to axe Cherry-Evans from the Maroons' side after the 18-6 game-one loss at Suncorp Stadium was always going to be one the coach was judged on.
The decision to move on from Cherry-Evans marked the first time Queensland had dropped a first-choice halfback for a live rubber since 2001, and the first time a captain was dropped mid-series this century.
But the gamble paid dividends at a wet and slippery Optus Stadium on Wednesday night, with Dearden providing a steady hand in his first go in the No.7 jersey.
The North Queensland halfback played crucial roles in three of the Maroons' four first-half tries, before they held on as their 26-6 lead shrunk into a 26-24 victory.
Cherry-Evans has captained the most games of any Queenslander this century, but Slater said the time was right for a changing of the guard.
"You won't get a negative word out of me for Daly Cherry-Evans," Slater said.
"He's a wonderful player, and has been a wonderful player for a long period of time.
"It's Tom's time now. And he didn't surprise any of us, I don't think, in what he put out there tonight.
"I'm really proud of him. That's the first time he's worn the number seven jersey for Queensland. I wouldn't imagine it'd be the last."
Dearden dug into the line for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's first try, before he kicked across field for the winger's second moments later.
But the new No.7's best play came later in the first half, when he went to the left, created numbers and gave Kurt Mann the chance to offload for a Kurt Capewell try.
There were issues in defence down his right edge in the second half as NSW fought back, but he was never bullied by the Blues and neither did they run over the top of him.
Slater's other big selection gamble in recalling Capewell also proved a winner, with the Warriors second-rower providing Queensland with vital grit to go with his try.
Capewell is the unenviable leader for missed tackles this NRL season - 75 from 13 games - but that didn't faze Slater at all.
"There was a bit of talk about the number of missed tackles on his stat sheet. I actually didn't know that until I read it in the paper," Slater said.
"It probably goes to show that I don't look at numbers.
"When I look at habits in players, I look at their actions and how they contribute to their footy team and he has done an amazing job.
"There's a reason why the Warriors are doing well, because they've got players like Kurt Capewell in their team.
"That's what successful footy teams look like - they've got hard working players that are willing to put everything into the footy team.
"His selection might have surprised a few, but it wasn't that out of the blue for me."
Billy Slater has declared it's Tom Dearden's time to own Queensland's No.7 jersey, after the new Maroons' halfback vindicated the call to move on from Daly Cherry-Evans.
Slater's selection bombshell to axe Cherry-Evans from the Maroons' side after the 18-6 game-one loss at Suncorp Stadium was always going to be one the coach was judged on.
The decision to move on from Cherry-Evans marked the first time Queensland had dropped a first-choice halfback for a live rubber since 2001, and the first time a captain was dropped mid-series this century.
But the gamble paid dividends at a wet and slippery Optus Stadium on Wednesday night, with Dearden providing a steady hand in his first go in the No.7 jersey.
The North Queensland halfback played crucial roles in three of the Maroons' four first-half tries, before they held on as their 26-6 lead shrunk into a 26-24 victory.
Cherry-Evans has captained the most games of any Queenslander this century, but Slater said the time was right for a changing of the guard.
"You won't get a negative word out of me for Daly Cherry-Evans," Slater said.
"He's a wonderful player, and has been a wonderful player for a long period of time.
"It's Tom's time now. And he didn't surprise any of us, I don't think, in what he put out there tonight.
"I'm really proud of him. That's the first time he's worn the number seven jersey for Queensland. I wouldn't imagine it'd be the last."
Dearden dug into the line for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's first try, before he kicked across field for the winger's second moments later.
But the new No.7's best play came later in the first half, when he went to the left, created numbers and gave Kurt Mann the chance to offload for a Kurt Capewell try.
There were issues in defence down his right edge in the second half as NSW fought back, but he was never bullied by the Blues and neither did they run over the top of him.
Slater's other big selection gamble in recalling Capewell also proved a winner, with the Warriors second-rower providing Queensland with vital grit to go with his try.
Capewell is the unenviable leader for missed tackles this NRL season - 75 from 13 games - but that didn't faze Slater at all.
"There was a bit of talk about the number of missed tackles on his stat sheet. I actually didn't know that until I read it in the paper," Slater said.
"It probably goes to show that I don't look at numbers.
"When I look at habits in players, I look at their actions and how they contribute to their footy team and he has done an amazing job.
"There's a reason why the Warriors are doing well, because they've got players like Kurt Capewell in their team.
"That's what successful footy teams look like - they've got hard working players that are willing to put everything into the footy team.
"His selection might have surprised a few, but it wasn't that out of the blue for me."
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Herald Sun
36 minutes ago
- Herald Sun
‘Something's not right': Laurie Daley's blunt admission as NSW rage over brutal penalty count
Blues coach Laurie Daley and captain Isaah Yeo have expressed frustration at a lopsided penalty count in NSW's 26-24 loss to Queensland in Perth. NSW were on the wrong end of a 10-2 penalty count that was eight to nil in the first half. It sparked a furious reaction from pundits who criticised referee Ashley Klein's officiating of the match. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Daley was blunt when asked what he thought of the penalty count. 'I can't tell you what I honestly think, so I'm not going to,' Daley said. Yeo, meanwhile, admitted the Blues were at fault for a number of penalties but believed they were on the wrong end of a host of 50/50 calls. 'There's certainly a few that we were shooting ourselves in the foot with and they were just penalties,' Yeo said. 'Other ones are 50-50. Some nights you get them, some nights you don't. So what you can't do is you can't go drop the ball early in the next set early in the tackle count when you've got the ball. 'So obviously I'd like that to be a bit more even, but we were our own worst enemy at times as well.' The Blues also disagreed with the decision to place Blues half Jarome Luai on report for a suspected eye-gouge. 'I thought it was a facial, I didn't see it up in the footage,' Yeo said. 'They put him on the report, but he didn't say why. I thought it was a face shot, so I thought there was a fair few of those in the game.' 'We saw a fair few of them in game one too,' Daley added. Yeo, however, admitted the Blues were their own worst enemy in a performance littered with ill-discipline. 'We just couldn't get out of our own way at the time, and they had all momentum,' he said. 'We probably had momentum through the middle of the field in that second half, but you can't do that to a pack like that. 'We just compounded too much. We would finally get the ball back, and we'd drop the ball early. You just can't miss the jump like this.' Isaah Yeo and Laurie Daley didn't say much, but said it all. Daley said ultimately the Blues did not deserve to win. 'It certainly was a rollercoaster, we just let ourselves down in the first half,' Daley said. 'I just think we just missed the jump with just like completion. 'Like, it really was just errors and penalties, and just compounded, and we just made it really hard for ourselves. 'We showed what we are capable of doing in the second half, but you can't play a half like that against a quality opposition and expect to be close. 'It was a good lesson. Go back to the drawing board, prepare well and go back to Sydney. It's one-all, so we will see how we go in game three. 'I think when we look at the video we will see opportunities, but I think we created, I think five tries to four, but I just get back to discipline, completions. 'We were nowhere near the mark in the first 40, so that was disappointing, but I was proud of them, obviously in the second half. 'They dug deep and showed everyone what they're capable of doing, but you've got to go two halves. You know, it's an old cliche, but it's true.' Daley also paid tribute to the Maroons and said the criticism of Queensland went too far during the week 'We knew what we were going to come against and they delivered,' Daley said. 'And the amount of criticism that they received, which was way over the top, we just knew that they were going to be better. So, we got to be better, and we will be better.' We're off to a decider. Photo byDaley, however, refused to be drawn on Billy Slater's turbulent 24 hours prior to the match. 'I'm not dodging the question, but I've just been focused on the group,' Daley said. 'I really have. I haven't really discussed anything. I just know that my energy's been channelled into the players 'I don't really know. And to be fair, when I'm in camp, I don't read papers. I don't go near them, because I just don't want to know what's going on in the world. And I don't know what's going on in rugby league as well. I wouldn't be able to tell you what's happening.' Daley also revealed Nathan Cleary was battling a groin injury which prevented him from goalkicking duties. 'He just felt a bit tight in his groin, so we wanted to limit the amount of force that he put through there,' Daley said of Cleary. 'So he's a tough kid, Nathan. We know what a quality player he is, but he's tough and his groin was tight, but he got through okay.' 'And as I said, I have got to take responsibility because we started well, but the first half wasn't great. So, I got to look at what I've done, because something's not right.' Originally published as 'Something's not right': Laurie Daley's blunt admission as NSW rage over brutal penalty count
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Cries of 1995 spur Maroons to gutsiest Perth win
Queensland have revealed how they channelled the spirit of 1995 in their State of Origin revival, shouting out references to it as defensive motivation in Perth. Some 30 years on from Paul Vautin's famous victory while coaching the so-called 'Neville nobodies', the Maroons have made it a theme of their 2025 campaign. Queensland players watched highlights from the Maroons' 3-0 whitewash on their first day in camp, and embraced the backs-to-the-wall aspect again in Perth. Nowhere was that more typified than in the final minutes of Origin II, as it seemed almost inevitable that waves of Blues attack would complete a 20-point comeback. According to prop Lindsay Collins, it was at that point Maroons players began yelling "1995" to each other, as they desperately tried to keep their line intact. "It's been our whole camp," Collins told AAP. "We watched the three games in the first day of camp one. We've had blocks in our training just called 1995. "And every time we are down there in defence everyone is screaming out 1995, 1995. "In defence when we know we have to be up on our line, everyone is talking 1995. They have been a big part of our series this year." Collins said the Maroons had taken lessons from Queensland winning the opening game of that series 2-0, despite having their side ripped apart by the Super League war. "It is powerful," Collins said. "It's just a reminder, they turned up and that's what we've got to do. That's what we do when you wear this jersey. "We had three minutes there to hang in there and defend for each other and fight. "So it's a little tip of the cap to them, they've been a big part of this series so to do that for them, it was pretty cool." New Queensland captain Cameron Munster also made reference to the 1995 spirit after the win, vowing to take it into the Sydney series decider on July 9. If the Maroons were to win there, it is likely this series victory would sit alongside the famous resilient efforts of 1995 and 2020 given Queensland's game-one loss at home. "We keep talking about it," Munster said. "They won by two points in a couple of those games in the series, and we won by two tonight. It was that '95 mentality in defence. "We've just got to keep working hard for each other. It's going to be a harder task going to Sydney, and we've got to be ready for it. "We can't afford to be ambushed." Queensland's 1995 captain Trevor Gillmeister, coach Paul Vautin and legend Billy Moore all spent Wednesday night at a function at Suncorp Stadium, watching the game on the big screen. When told about the Maroons' 1995 catch call, he said: "All of the 1995 guys will be proud as punch to hear that. "It's great that Cameron and Lindsay remember their past. I know Billy has been really big on history and reminding the guys what we achieved in 1995." Queensland have revealed how they channelled the spirit of 1995 in their State of Origin revival, shouting out references to it as defensive motivation in Perth. Some 30 years on from Paul Vautin's famous victory while coaching the so-called 'Neville nobodies', the Maroons have made it a theme of their 2025 campaign. Queensland players watched highlights from the Maroons' 3-0 whitewash on their first day in camp, and embraced the backs-to-the-wall aspect again in Perth. Nowhere was that more typified than in the final minutes of Origin II, as it seemed almost inevitable that waves of Blues attack would complete a 20-point comeback. According to prop Lindsay Collins, it was at that point Maroons players began yelling "1995" to each other, as they desperately tried to keep their line intact. "It's been our whole camp," Collins told AAP. "We watched the three games in the first day of camp one. We've had blocks in our training just called 1995. "And every time we are down there in defence everyone is screaming out 1995, 1995. "In defence when we know we have to be up on our line, everyone is talking 1995. They have been a big part of our series this year." Collins said the Maroons had taken lessons from Queensland winning the opening game of that series 2-0, despite having their side ripped apart by the Super League war. "It is powerful," Collins said. "It's just a reminder, they turned up and that's what we've got to do. That's what we do when you wear this jersey. "We had three minutes there to hang in there and defend for each other and fight. "So it's a little tip of the cap to them, they've been a big part of this series so to do that for them, it was pretty cool." New Queensland captain Cameron Munster also made reference to the 1995 spirit after the win, vowing to take it into the Sydney series decider on July 9. If the Maroons were to win there, it is likely this series victory would sit alongside the famous resilient efforts of 1995 and 2020 given Queensland's game-one loss at home. "We keep talking about it," Munster said. "They won by two points in a couple of those games in the series, and we won by two tonight. It was that '95 mentality in defence. "We've just got to keep working hard for each other. It's going to be a harder task going to Sydney, and we've got to be ready for it. "We can't afford to be ambushed." Queensland's 1995 captain Trevor Gillmeister, coach Paul Vautin and legend Billy Moore all spent Wednesday night at a function at Suncorp Stadium, watching the game on the big screen. When told about the Maroons' 1995 catch call, he said: "All of the 1995 guys will be proud as punch to hear that. "It's great that Cameron and Lindsay remember their past. I know Billy has been really big on history and reminding the guys what we achieved in 1995." Queensland have revealed how they channelled the spirit of 1995 in their State of Origin revival, shouting out references to it as defensive motivation in Perth. Some 30 years on from Paul Vautin's famous victory while coaching the so-called 'Neville nobodies', the Maroons have made it a theme of their 2025 campaign. Queensland players watched highlights from the Maroons' 3-0 whitewash on their first day in camp, and embraced the backs-to-the-wall aspect again in Perth. Nowhere was that more typified than in the final minutes of Origin II, as it seemed almost inevitable that waves of Blues attack would complete a 20-point comeback. According to prop Lindsay Collins, it was at that point Maroons players began yelling "1995" to each other, as they desperately tried to keep their line intact. "It's been our whole camp," Collins told AAP. "We watched the three games in the first day of camp one. We've had blocks in our training just called 1995. "And every time we are down there in defence everyone is screaming out 1995, 1995. "In defence when we know we have to be up on our line, everyone is talking 1995. They have been a big part of our series this year." Collins said the Maroons had taken lessons from Queensland winning the opening game of that series 2-0, despite having their side ripped apart by the Super League war. "It is powerful," Collins said. "It's just a reminder, they turned up and that's what we've got to do. That's what we do when you wear this jersey. "We had three minutes there to hang in there and defend for each other and fight. "So it's a little tip of the cap to them, they've been a big part of this series so to do that for them, it was pretty cool." New Queensland captain Cameron Munster also made reference to the 1995 spirit after the win, vowing to take it into the Sydney series decider on July 9. If the Maroons were to win there, it is likely this series victory would sit alongside the famous resilient efforts of 1995 and 2020 given Queensland's game-one loss at home. "We keep talking about it," Munster said. "They won by two points in a couple of those games in the series, and we won by two tonight. It was that '95 mentality in defence. "We've just got to keep working hard for each other. It's going to be a harder task going to Sydney, and we've got to be ready for it. "We can't afford to be ambushed." Queensland's 1995 captain Trevor Gillmeister, coach Paul Vautin and legend Billy Moore all spent Wednesday night at a function at Suncorp Stadium, watching the game on the big screen. When told about the Maroons' 1995 catch call, he said: "All of the 1995 guys will be proud as punch to hear that. "It's great that Cameron and Lindsay remember their past. I know Billy has been really big on history and reminding the guys what we achieved in 1995."
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
The Knights' six rising talents in State of Origin arena
There wasn't much Evah McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, helped Samoa secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. This year is poised to be even bigger for the powerful second-rower. The St Marys junior has been upgraded from Knights development player to top-24 roster, locked down until the end of 2027, and will be pushing for a starting spot following the departure of Laishon Albert-Jones to the New Zealand Warriors. The dynamic forward represented the Indigenous All Stars in February and was included in John Strange's extended NSW women's Origin squad in March. Newcastle NRLW coach Ben Jeffries has likened McEwen to Knights, NSW and Australian game-breaker Yasmin Clydsdale, arguably the best second-rower the women's game has seen. "She's just dynamic," Jeffries said. "She can break tackles, has speed. She's got effort areas. I can see a real resemblance of a young Yasmin Clydsdale. "She's got the best mentor in Yas next to her, so she can learn from arguably the best in the world." The teenager is taking nothing for granted as she lines up for NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin showdown on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday (5.45pm). McEwen is one of up to six Knights set to feature in the under-19 Origin double-header. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Mariah Brown, both development players this year, are in the Queensland squad. Knights trio Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano and Jack Hilliar are in the Blues men's squad. The men's exchange is at 7.45pm. "I'm just enjoying camp," McEwen told the Newcastle Herald. "This will probably be my last time pulling on the NSW jersey until I hopefully crack women's, so I'm very proud and privileged to put on this jersey again. "There's no other feeling like it. It just brings the dog out of everyone, so I'm keen to do that all over again." McEwen was one of nine tryscorers as NSW annihilated Queensland 46-4 last year. "It opened a lot of doors for me, that was just the beginning," McEwen said. "It was the atmosphere as well. I can't even explain it. I'll be trying to soak all of that in, and I can't wait to do that all over again because there's nothing like Origin footy. "I'm keen to rip in and bring the shield back home again." Taulelei-Siala and Brown are among just four players returning from last year's Maroons side. Taulelei-Siala, a power-packed outside back, also had a big 2024. The 18-year-old Goona Eagles junior was in the Australian schoolgirls side, represented Samoa at the Pacific Championships alongside McEwen and earned a development contract with the Knights. Brown, who turns 19 on Thursday, is only 164 centimetres tall but is a tough and versatile back. The Highfields Eagles junior has been likened to former Knights' premiership-winning centre Abigail Roache, who has moved on to the North Queensland Cowboys. Hopwood and Votano are set for their second year in a Blues jersey while Hilliar has earned his first call-up. Last year, NSW beat Queensland 14-10 in the men's match. "It means a lot to me and my family to represent the Blues," Hopwood said. "You never know when you get to do it again. And, it means the world to be in the team with Jack and Connor. It's awesome to be able to do it with your best mates as well." Hopwood has just turned 19 but is already carving out a reputation against men in NSW Cup and the West Maitland Wallaroos junior looks destined to reach the NRL. A stand-out in the Knights' junior pathways system, he was elevated to an NRL contract for 2025 and is signed until at least the end of 2028. Standing at 195 centimetres tall and weighing 105 kilograms, the former Australian schoolboy representative is a highly-fancied prop with pure presence. "He's a tough front-rower who's got good skill if he needs to pass the ball, but his best attribute is his running game, and just defensively he works really hard for the team," Knights' NSW Cup and transition coach Michael Dobson said. "He's a great young leader. He's been playing NSW Cup against men all year and he only just turned 19 a couple of weeks ago, so he's doing a really good job." MORE IN SPORT: The Entrance Tigers junior Votano, 19, is an athletic fullback who is playing NSW Cup. "He's been doing a really good job, learning all the time," Dobson said. "Connor is a really good ball-runner who has good ball skills out the back of shape." Hilliar, a 19-year-old front-rower and Cessnock junior, has also come through the Knights pathways system and has played SG Ball (19s) and Jersey Flegg (21s) this year. "He's really tough through the middle and has got good leg speed," Dobson said. "Jack did the pre-season with the NRL squad, so they've all had a taste of NRL training. Connor and Cody every day and Jack in pre-season, which puts them in a really good position to go out and do a good job in NSW Origin." There wasn't much Evah McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, helped Samoa secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. This year is poised to be even bigger for the powerful second-rower. The St Marys junior has been upgraded from Knights development player to top-24 roster, locked down until the end of 2027, and will be pushing for a starting spot following the departure of Laishon Albert-Jones to the New Zealand Warriors. The dynamic forward represented the Indigenous All Stars in February and was included in John Strange's extended NSW women's Origin squad in March. Newcastle NRLW coach Ben Jeffries has likened McEwen to Knights, NSW and Australian game-breaker Yasmin Clydsdale, arguably the best second-rower the women's game has seen. "She's just dynamic," Jeffries said. "She can break tackles, has speed. She's got effort areas. I can see a real resemblance of a young Yasmin Clydsdale. "She's got the best mentor in Yas next to her, so she can learn from arguably the best in the world." The teenager is taking nothing for granted as she lines up for NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin showdown on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday (5.45pm). McEwen is one of up to six Knights set to feature in the under-19 Origin double-header. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Mariah Brown, both development players this year, are in the Queensland squad. Knights trio Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano and Jack Hilliar are in the Blues men's squad. The men's exchange is at 7.45pm. "I'm just enjoying camp," McEwen told the Newcastle Herald. "This will probably be my last time pulling on the NSW jersey until I hopefully crack women's, so I'm very proud and privileged to put on this jersey again. "There's no other feeling like it. It just brings the dog out of everyone, so I'm keen to do that all over again." McEwen was one of nine tryscorers as NSW annihilated Queensland 46-4 last year. "It opened a lot of doors for me, that was just the beginning," McEwen said. "It was the atmosphere as well. I can't even explain it. I'll be trying to soak all of that in, and I can't wait to do that all over again because there's nothing like Origin footy. "I'm keen to rip in and bring the shield back home again." Taulelei-Siala and Brown are among just four players returning from last year's Maroons side. Taulelei-Siala, a power-packed outside back, also had a big 2024. The 18-year-old Goona Eagles junior was in the Australian schoolgirls side, represented Samoa at the Pacific Championships alongside McEwen and earned a development contract with the Knights. Brown, who turns 19 on Thursday, is only 164 centimetres tall but is a tough and versatile back. The Highfields Eagles junior has been likened to former Knights' premiership-winning centre Abigail Roache, who has moved on to the North Queensland Cowboys. Hopwood and Votano are set for their second year in a Blues jersey while Hilliar has earned his first call-up. Last year, NSW beat Queensland 14-10 in the men's match. "It means a lot to me and my family to represent the Blues," Hopwood said. "You never know when you get to do it again. And, it means the world to be in the team with Jack and Connor. It's awesome to be able to do it with your best mates as well." Hopwood has just turned 19 but is already carving out a reputation against men in NSW Cup and the West Maitland Wallaroos junior looks destined to reach the NRL. A stand-out in the Knights' junior pathways system, he was elevated to an NRL contract for 2025 and is signed until at least the end of 2028. Standing at 195 centimetres tall and weighing 105 kilograms, the former Australian schoolboy representative is a highly-fancied prop with pure presence. "He's a tough front-rower who's got good skill if he needs to pass the ball, but his best attribute is his running game, and just defensively he works really hard for the team," Knights' NSW Cup and transition coach Michael Dobson said. "He's a great young leader. He's been playing NSW Cup against men all year and he only just turned 19 a couple of weeks ago, so he's doing a really good job." MORE IN SPORT: The Entrance Tigers junior Votano, 19, is an athletic fullback who is playing NSW Cup. "He's been doing a really good job, learning all the time," Dobson said. "Connor is a really good ball-runner who has good ball skills out the back of shape." Hilliar, a 19-year-old front-rower and Cessnock junior, has also come through the Knights pathways system and has played SG Ball (19s) and Jersey Flegg (21s) this year. "He's really tough through the middle and has got good leg speed," Dobson said. "Jack did the pre-season with the NRL squad, so they've all had a taste of NRL training. Connor and Cody every day and Jack in pre-season, which puts them in a really good position to go out and do a good job in NSW Origin." There wasn't much Evah McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, helped Samoa secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. This year is poised to be even bigger for the powerful second-rower. The St Marys junior has been upgraded from Knights development player to top-24 roster, locked down until the end of 2027, and will be pushing for a starting spot following the departure of Laishon Albert-Jones to the New Zealand Warriors. The dynamic forward represented the Indigenous All Stars in February and was included in John Strange's extended NSW women's Origin squad in March. Newcastle NRLW coach Ben Jeffries has likened McEwen to Knights, NSW and Australian game-breaker Yasmin Clydsdale, arguably the best second-rower the women's game has seen. "She's just dynamic," Jeffries said. "She can break tackles, has speed. She's got effort areas. I can see a real resemblance of a young Yasmin Clydsdale. "She's got the best mentor in Yas next to her, so she can learn from arguably the best in the world." The teenager is taking nothing for granted as she lines up for NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin showdown on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday (5.45pm). McEwen is one of up to six Knights set to feature in the under-19 Origin double-header. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Mariah Brown, both development players this year, are in the Queensland squad. Knights trio Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano and Jack Hilliar are in the Blues men's squad. The men's exchange is at 7.45pm. "I'm just enjoying camp," McEwen told the Newcastle Herald. "This will probably be my last time pulling on the NSW jersey until I hopefully crack women's, so I'm very proud and privileged to put on this jersey again. "There's no other feeling like it. It just brings the dog out of everyone, so I'm keen to do that all over again." McEwen was one of nine tryscorers as NSW annihilated Queensland 46-4 last year. "It opened a lot of doors for me, that was just the beginning," McEwen said. "It was the atmosphere as well. I can't even explain it. I'll be trying to soak all of that in, and I can't wait to do that all over again because there's nothing like Origin footy. "I'm keen to rip in and bring the shield back home again." Taulelei-Siala and Brown are among just four players returning from last year's Maroons side. Taulelei-Siala, a power-packed outside back, also had a big 2024. The 18-year-old Goona Eagles junior was in the Australian schoolgirls side, represented Samoa at the Pacific Championships alongside McEwen and earned a development contract with the Knights. Brown, who turns 19 on Thursday, is only 164 centimetres tall but is a tough and versatile back. The Highfields Eagles junior has been likened to former Knights' premiership-winning centre Abigail Roache, who has moved on to the North Queensland Cowboys. Hopwood and Votano are set for their second year in a Blues jersey while Hilliar has earned his first call-up. Last year, NSW beat Queensland 14-10 in the men's match. "It means a lot to me and my family to represent the Blues," Hopwood said. "You never know when you get to do it again. And, it means the world to be in the team with Jack and Connor. It's awesome to be able to do it with your best mates as well." Hopwood has just turned 19 but is already carving out a reputation against men in NSW Cup and the West Maitland Wallaroos junior looks destined to reach the NRL. A stand-out in the Knights' junior pathways system, he was elevated to an NRL contract for 2025 and is signed until at least the end of 2028. Standing at 195 centimetres tall and weighing 105 kilograms, the former Australian schoolboy representative is a highly-fancied prop with pure presence. "He's a tough front-rower who's got good skill if he needs to pass the ball, but his best attribute is his running game, and just defensively he works really hard for the team," Knights' NSW Cup and transition coach Michael Dobson said. "He's a great young leader. He's been playing NSW Cup against men all year and he only just turned 19 a couple of weeks ago, so he's doing a really good job." MORE IN SPORT: The Entrance Tigers junior Votano, 19, is an athletic fullback who is playing NSW Cup. "He's been doing a really good job, learning all the time," Dobson said. "Connor is a really good ball-runner who has good ball skills out the back of shape." Hilliar, a 19-year-old front-rower and Cessnock junior, has also come through the Knights pathways system and has played SG Ball (19s) and Jersey Flegg (21s) this year. "He's really tough through the middle and has got good leg speed," Dobson said. "Jack did the pre-season with the NRL squad, so they've all had a taste of NRL training. Connor and Cody every day and Jack in pre-season, which puts them in a really good position to go out and do a good job in NSW Origin." There wasn't much Evah McEwen didn't do in 2024. The 19-year-old was the Knights' Tarsha Gale (under 19s) player of the year, represented NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin, made her NRLW debut, helped Samoa secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup and was nominated on the Golden Boot long list for international player of the year. This year is poised to be even bigger for the powerful second-rower. The St Marys junior has been upgraded from Knights development player to top-24 roster, locked down until the end of 2027, and will be pushing for a starting spot following the departure of Laishon Albert-Jones to the New Zealand Warriors. The dynamic forward represented the Indigenous All Stars in February and was included in John Strange's extended NSW women's Origin squad in March. Newcastle NRLW coach Ben Jeffries has likened McEwen to Knights, NSW and Australian game-breaker Yasmin Clydsdale, arguably the best second-rower the women's game has seen. "She's just dynamic," Jeffries said. "She can break tackles, has speed. She's got effort areas. I can see a real resemblance of a young Yasmin Clydsdale. "She's got the best mentor in Yas next to her, so she can learn from arguably the best in the world." The teenager is taking nothing for granted as she lines up for NSW in the women's under-19 State of Origin showdown on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday (5.45pm). McEwen is one of up to six Knights set to feature in the under-19 Origin double-header. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Mariah Brown, both development players this year, are in the Queensland squad. Knights trio Cody Hopwood, Connor Votano and Jack Hilliar are in the Blues men's squad. The men's exchange is at 7.45pm. "I'm just enjoying camp," McEwen told the Newcastle Herald. "This will probably be my last time pulling on the NSW jersey until I hopefully crack women's, so I'm very proud and privileged to put on this jersey again. "There's no other feeling like it. It just brings the dog out of everyone, so I'm keen to do that all over again." McEwen was one of nine tryscorers as NSW annihilated Queensland 46-4 last year. "It opened a lot of doors for me, that was just the beginning," McEwen said. "It was the atmosphere as well. I can't even explain it. I'll be trying to soak all of that in, and I can't wait to do that all over again because there's nothing like Origin footy. "I'm keen to rip in and bring the shield back home again." Taulelei-Siala and Brown are among just four players returning from last year's Maroons side. Taulelei-Siala, a power-packed outside back, also had a big 2024. The 18-year-old Goona Eagles junior was in the Australian schoolgirls side, represented Samoa at the Pacific Championships alongside McEwen and earned a development contract with the Knights. Brown, who turns 19 on Thursday, is only 164 centimetres tall but is a tough and versatile back. The Highfields Eagles junior has been likened to former Knights' premiership-winning centre Abigail Roache, who has moved on to the North Queensland Cowboys. Hopwood and Votano are set for their second year in a Blues jersey while Hilliar has earned his first call-up. Last year, NSW beat Queensland 14-10 in the men's match. "It means a lot to me and my family to represent the Blues," Hopwood said. "You never know when you get to do it again. And, it means the world to be in the team with Jack and Connor. It's awesome to be able to do it with your best mates as well." Hopwood has just turned 19 but is already carving out a reputation against men in NSW Cup and the West Maitland Wallaroos junior looks destined to reach the NRL. A stand-out in the Knights' junior pathways system, he was elevated to an NRL contract for 2025 and is signed until at least the end of 2028. Standing at 195 centimetres tall and weighing 105 kilograms, the former Australian schoolboy representative is a highly-fancied prop with pure presence. "He's a tough front-rower who's got good skill if he needs to pass the ball, but his best attribute is his running game, and just defensively he works really hard for the team," Knights' NSW Cup and transition coach Michael Dobson said. "He's a great young leader. He's been playing NSW Cup against men all year and he only just turned 19 a couple of weeks ago, so he's doing a really good job." MORE IN SPORT: The Entrance Tigers junior Votano, 19, is an athletic fullback who is playing NSW Cup. "He's been doing a really good job, learning all the time," Dobson said. "Connor is a really good ball-runner who has good ball skills out the back of shape." Hilliar, a 19-year-old front-rower and Cessnock junior, has also come through the Knights pathways system and has played SG Ball (19s) and Jersey Flegg (21s) this year. "He's really tough through the middle and has got good leg speed," Dobson said. "Jack did the pre-season with the NRL squad, so they've all had a taste of NRL training. Connor and Cody every day and Jack in pre-season, which puts them in a really good position to go out and do a good job in NSW Origin."
