Queensland masterstroke that flipped State of Origin on its head

Queensland appeared almost no hope of winning State of Origin, then one tough Billy Slater call handed them the keys to victory.

The 2025 State of Origin series going in Queensland’s favour can be traced back to one decision.

Serious questions were raised about Billy Slater’s men after the Blues took the series opener 18-6 in Brisbane.

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The knives quickly came out after the loss with veteran Daly Cherry-Evans attracting widespread criticism.

The 36-year-old had been a staple of the Queensland side for years, but Slater knew he needed to swing the axe and cut the Maroons skipper.

Slater copped some flack for giving the veteran his marching orders, but the move proved to be the masterstroke that handed Queensland the keys to victory.

With Cherry-Evans out of the picture, Tom Dearden was given the spot in the starting line-up and the Cowboys playmaker not only proved he belonged … he tore the big stage to shreds.

Daly Cherry-Evans was dropped and it swung the series in QLD’s favour. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Tom Dearden (right) was the player of the series after a blistering display. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Dearden played a key role as the Maroons tied up the series at one-game apiece after a 26-24 victory in Game 2.

But it was in the decider when Dearden took his game to new heights. On a field full of star power, the 24-year-old was on another level.

He pounced on some slack efforts from the home side to scoot over untouched in the 26th minute.

His second try of the night all but sealed the result as he burst through a hole in NSW’s defensive line in the 73rd minute.

“He’s built a career on saving tries, but Tom Dearden has bludgeoned a blow on the top of the NSW carcass,” Mat Thompson said after the five-eighth’s double.

“What an effort.”

Dearden’s herculean efforts on both sides of the ball earned him player of the match honours along with claiming the Wally Lewis Medal as the player of the series.

Fans were left in awe watching on as the praise came flooding in for Dearden and the move to inject him into the starting spot.

Fox Sports’ Dane Lillingstone wrote: “Tom Dearden has really changed this series for Queensland. He’s injected a total new energy into their attack.”

Lee Gaskin wrote: “Billy made the bold call after game 1 to drop DCE, bring in Dearden and give Munster the captaincy. Absolute masterstroke.”

Another added: “Billy Slater copped a lot of criticism for dropping his skipper DCE after game 1 … hope those same critics give him his flowers after Deardens Man of the Match performance in a decider.”

A fourth posted: “Billy dropped DCE after an awful G1. Media knocked Billy, said he didn’t have a clue. Dearden has come in and absolutely raised his game and then some. Outstanding showing from the lad. Has won us this tonight.”

The Maroons celebrate after Dearden’s try all but sealed the result. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Dearden took the dias in the wake of the Origin victory with the emotion clearly getting the better of the young star.

“F**k, oh s**t,” he said before he apologised, stating he was just so happy and proud to play his part for his state.

The 24-12 victory on Wednesday night will go down as a Maroons masterpiece.

Cameron Smith said on Channel 9: “I’d rate this up there with the 95 series, Fatty’s team, and the 2020 series where the Queensland team was spoken about as the worst team ever assembled.”

But it is back to the drawing board for NSW coach Laurie Daley and Nathan Cleary, who didn’t fire a shot in attack.

Originally published as Queensland masterstroke that flipped State of Origin on its head