‘Big fight on’: Legend gives verdict on brutal Queensland’s State of Origin selection dilemma

A Queensland legend has given his verdict on a big headache facing Maroons coach Billy Slater ahead of the State of Origin opener.

Billy Slater is facing a serious selection dilemma around his playmakers and utilities for State of Origin this year amid growing calls for Tom Dearden to be included in Queensland’s side.

Slater has an embarrassment of riches to choose from for the five-eighth and halfback positions as the Maroons bid to reclaim the Origin shield after NSW won a series decider in enemy territory for just the third time last year.

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The Maroons coach revealed this week Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans had signalled his intent to play Origin again this year, which would see him surpass Petero Civoniceva as the oldest ever Origin player.

Cherry-Evans is set to add to his 25 appearances for Queensland, but his form has dipped somewhat in the weeks since he announced he wouldn’t be playing on at Manly beyond this season.

Meanwhile the North Queensland Cowboys have hit a hot patch of form on the back of five-eighth Tom Dearden, who was one Queensland’s best in last year’s Origin decider in the absence of Cameron Munster, who missed the entire series with injury.

Tom Dearden has impressed for the Cowboys and Maroons. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Cameron Munster missed last year’s Origin series with injury. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Maroons great and former Broncos coach Kevin Walters believes Dearden simply must be selected in Queensland team, either in the starting side or on the bench.

“I think they’ve got some players that have been really good touch. Tommy Dearden, all those Cowboys players, they’ve won four or five in a row, so they’re in great touch,” Fox League expert Walters told news.com.au ahead of Magic Round, where every game is live on Kayo Sports.

Walters is tipping Slater to have a headache in choosing whether Dearden or Melbourne Storm star Munster gets the start at five-eighth.

“There’s a big fight on there, isn’t there, for the six jumper between Cameron Munster and Tommy Dearden,” Walters said.

“But I think you’ll find both of those players will be in the 17 somewhere.

“Probably for mine, I’d have Munster at six and then I’d bring Tommy Dearden in on the bench, possibly.

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“There’s always room in State of Origin teams for players of that calibre, that’s for sure.”

Slater will certainly have some selection dilemmas over who he picks in the halves positions and the utility spot on the bench.

In recent years Harry Grant and Ben Hunt have both been automatic selections in Queensland’s side, switching between starting hooker and the No. 14 jersey.

Tom Dearden and Daly Cherry-Evans were Queensland’s halves pairing in 2024. Photo - QRL

Walters, a former Queensland coach, said there were plenty of players making strong cases to be selected for the series opener on May 28.

“(Jeremiah) Nanai has fought well to get back into playing some good football after a disappointing start to the season.

“Pat Carrigan at the Broncos has been really good, Selwyn Cobbo outstanding.

“You look down at the Melbourne Storm, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster from a Queensland perspective have been in great touch.

“Tommy Dearden is going well. Queensland are very blessed this year to have so many players available and playing well for their club, to get selected. It’s still some weeks away, but it’s good to see a lot of the Queensland boys are playing well and at a high level.”

Queensland coach Billy Slater (right) has some tough selection calls to make. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

One player who is unlikely to be selected in Reece Walsh, with the Broncos fullback conceding he is at long odds to be fit in time\.

The injured superstar damaged his posterior cruciate ligament against the Warriors in round 7 and was able to play through the pain, with the club’s medical staff predicting he’d be out for 4-6 weeks.

“No, probably not the first Origin,” Walsh told reporters on Thursday.

“But you never know how it (his knee) is feeling.

Kalyn Ponga is the frontrunner to be Queensland’s starting fullback in Walsh’s absence.