Daly-Cherry Evans set to be dropped for State of Origin Game 2

Billy Slater is reportedly set to drop his Queensland captain and halfback in a bombshell selection call for State of Origin Game 2.

Queensland captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is reportedly set to be dropped by the Maroons for State of Origin Game 2.

In what looms as the biggest selection call of Billy Slater’s tenure so far, the Queensland coach is weighing up his halves combination for Game 2 after his side was thoroughly outplayed in the series opener.

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According to Code Sports, Slater is currently leaning towards axing Cherry-Evans in a bombshell selection move, with the veteran’s Origin career “all but over”.

If Cherry-Evans is dropped, Cowboys playmaker Tom Dearden would be named at halfback to partner five-eighth Cameron Munster after impressing off the bench in several Origin games.

Cherry-Evans’ spot in the team came under scrutiny following Queensland’s 18-6 loss to NSW in Game 1 as the Blues claimed consecutive wins at Suncorp Stadium for the first time in 27 years.

The Queensland halves pairing came under fire after the defeat with Maroons legend Shane Webcke admitting he was worried “the magic wasn’t there”.

Daly Cherry-Evans is facing the axe for Origin Game 2. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Tom Dearden would be elevated to the No. 7 jersey. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The 36-year-old, who became the oldest ever Origin player in Game 1, has led Queensland to three State of Origin series wins and has played for the Maroons 26 times.

But Queensland’s attack has lacked punch in Game 1 and last year’s series decider — apart from a Xavier Coates try during Brian To’o’s sin bin, the Maroons haven’t scored a try in the past two games.

Former Queensland coach Kevin Walters said on Fox League he didn’t envy Slater, describing it as a “huge decision”.

“It’s probably one of the biggest decisions that a coach has had to make at that level for some time,” Walters said.

“From a Queensland point of view, not a bigger decision has ever been made for a long time.”

Cooper Cronk added: “If I’m Billy, I’m having a one-on-one chat with Daly and I’m saying, ‘Can you deliver for your state one more time?

“If I’m Billy and I walk away from that conversation believing he can, I think he gets picked. If I’m walking away thinking that he can’t, then maybe the decision has to be made.

“But at the end of the day, I think the only real opinion that matters here is Billy’s thoughts.”

DCE would be the first Queensland captain to be dropped mid-series since Trevor Gillmeister in 1996.

Billy Slater (right) is weighing up dropping DCE. Picture: NRL photos

NSW legend Andrew Johns called for Dearden to replace Cherry-Evans immediately after Game 1.

“I’d be putting Tom Dearden in,” Johns said.

“I just think Dearden is the halfback. “It’s his time.

“Daly is 36 and it’s a big call to drop your captain, but this is a must-win.

“Daly has been a great player for Queensland but no-one beats Father Time … and it’s Tom Dearden’s time.”

Is DCE’s State of Origin career over? Picture: NRL photos

Last week former Storm and NSW player Ryan Hoffman said it would be a massive call to drop Cherry-Evans mid-series.

“To drop a captain midway through a series would be the biggest selection call in the history of State of Origin,” Hoffman told ABC Offsiders.

“That would be a huge call and could be very destabilising for the team that Bill (Slater) trying to bring together after such a bad loss at home.

“I don’t think Bill will drop Daly Cherry-Evans. I think there will be some other slight sort of tweaks, but I don’t think we’re going to see wholesale changes.”

Bulldogs utility Kurt Mann could make his debut off the bench if Dearden is elevated to the No. 7 jersey, while Beau Fermor could move into the starting side, demoting Reuben Cotter to the bench.

Apart from the Cherry-Evans decision, Slater is not expected to make other wholesale changes to Queensland’s line-up for Game 2.

Queensland will officially name their squad for Game 2 on Monday morning.

Originally published as Daly-Cherry Evans set to be dropped for State of Origin Game 2