Maroons coach Billy Slater expects Daly Cherry-Evans to be available for State of Origin selection

Daly Cherry-Evans is extending his Queensland career in a move that could see the Maroons and Manly skipper become the oldest player in State of Origin’s 45-year history.

Daly Cherry-Evans is extending his Queensland career in a move that will see the Maroons and Manly skipper become the oldest player in State of Origin’s 45-year history.

This masthead can reveal Cherry-Evans has advised Queensland coach Billy Slater he is formally available for selection for the 2025 Origin series – and could also play on for the Maroons next season in the strongest sign yet he will not retire from the NRL.

Cherry-Evans dropped a bombshell on Manly last month when he revealed he was leaving the club at season’s end, fuelling fears the veteran halfback could also walk away from the State of Origin arena.

At the time of his Sea Eagles shock, Cherry-Evans admitted his next big call would be whether to sever ties with the Queensland team he has captained for the past five years.

Daly Cherry-Evans has informed Billy Slater he is available for Origin selection. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

But as Slater begins ramping-up his selection plans, Cherry-Evans has told Queensland hierarchy he wants to be in the Maroons’ No.7 jumper for the Origin opener against NSW on May 28 at Suncorp Stadium.

The revelation is a huge boost for Queensland as Slater’s Maroons look to reclaim the State of Origin shield following last year’s 2-1 series loss to Michael Maguire’s Blues.

Queensland coach Slater told this masthead Cherry-Evans has indicated he will play on and would relish having his skipper on deck for a series that would see ‘DCE’ set a new record as Origin’s oldest player.

Daly Cherry-Evans has the opportunity to become the oldest State of Origin player ever if selected. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“I have spoken to Daly,” Slater said.

“I would be very surprised if he wasn’t available.

“He has had a fair bit on his plate lately but we have a good relationship, Daly and myself.

“It started as teammates, now he is the captain and I’m the coach. We are open and honest with each other.

“The one thing I love about ‘Chez’ is that he knows that every time he pulls on a Queensland jersey, he would have earnt that jersey.

“That’s the one thing I love about him, that’s how he goes into every Origin game and that’s his mentality.

“Over the next few weeks he will be looking to play the footy he can play to put his name up there again.”

Petero Civoniceva is Origin’s oldest player at 36 years and 74 days after playing for Queensland in 2012, but Cherry-Evans will be 36 years and 96 days if chosen to play his 26th game for the Maroons in the 2025 opener.

Intriguingly, Cherry-Evans has not ruled out wearing Maroon in 2026, compelling evidence the departing Sea Eagles halfback is set to shelve retirement from rugby league and play on with another NRL club.

A huge carrot for Cherry-Evans is qualifying for Queensland’s elite Statesman’s Club by playing 30 or more Origin games for the Maroons.

Daly Cherry-Evans made his State of Origin debut in 2013. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

A veteran of 25 appearances, Cherry-Evans can join the likes of Wally Lewis, Cameron Smith, Darren Lockyer, Allan Langer and Mal Meninga if he plays all three games this season and at least two matches in 2026.

Slater, entering his fourth campaign as Queensland coach, said Cherry-Evans has been honest about the physical and mental demands required to soldier on for another Origin campaign.

“Yeah I would (like to have Cherry-Evans on deck in 2025),” Slater said.

“One thing you need to listen to when you get to the back end of your career, you need to listen to your actions on the field and you need to listen to your performances.

Daly Cherry-Evans is without a club for the 2026 season after announcing he will depart the Sea Eagles. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images

“I have been there as a player and I’m sure that’s what Daly will do.

“He is honest with himself.

“No one wants to play too long but Daly is playing as well as I’ve seen him play.

“His actions are speaking pretty loudly at the minute.”

On the eve of the 2025 premiership, Cherry-Evans told this masthead the scars of his Origin exile for three years, after being axed in 2015, was motivation to savour every extra game in Maroon.

“A friend has said to me that I could go past Petero (as the oldest Origin player),” he said.

“That’s a great record. I love it.

“When you talk about parts of the game that you love, I don’t love doing weights and I don’t love doing cardio, but I love playing State of Origin.

Daly Cherry-Evans was axed from the Maroon after game two of the 2015 series. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“In this sport, you learn more from your losses and last year’s series loss was a big learning experience for myself.

“It really refocused me.

“It could have been really easy for me to say, you know what, enough is enough, but I’m still keen to lean into this.

“The other part is being part of Billy’s culture in Camp Maroon.

“If I didn’t enjoy being in camps, then I wouldn’t want to spend 30 days away from my family.”