Billy Slater opens up on phone call with Daly Cherry-Evans... and responds to scapegoat claim

Maroons coach Billy Slater has revealed the phone call that ended the Origin career of his former teammate Daly Cherry-Evans.

Maroons coach Billy Slater has explained the decision to drop Daly Cherry-Evans, while opening up on the phone call where he delivered the hard news to his former teammate.

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Queensland announced its 20-man squad for the must-win game at Perth on Monday, with Slater confirming the Maroons would reveal their final team on Tuesday.

While the make-up of that side remains to be seen, one thing that is certain is that Cherry-Evans will not feature while Beau Fermor was the other Maroons player to miss out.

Tom Dearden will come into the team to replace Cherry-Evans while the versatile Kurt Capewell is expected to join the 17 and potentially push into the starting side.

Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, Slater as expected didn’t offer too much detail on exactly why Cherry-Evans was left out of the squad but said Dearden had “earned the opportunity” to take over as halfback.

Daly Cherry-Evans was informed of Billy Slater’s decision through a tough phone call. Picture NRL photos

“We don’t take any decision lightly, whether it’s a player keeping their spot or another player coming in. All Queenslanders are considered,” Slater explained.

“We just feel Tom is the right person for the number seven jersey right now. First of all, you won’t hear a negative word from me about Daly Cherry-Evans.

“What he has given this jersey and what he has done for this footy team and this group, that will be with all Queenslanders and with Daly for the rest of his life.

“No one can take that away from him. We just feel that Tom Dearden has earned the opportunity to play in the number seven jersey.”

Slater called Cherry-Evans on Sunday to let him know he had been dropped and said the veteran halfback “took the news with great character and great respect”.

“Obviously Daly wanted to play and he was disappointed that he wasn’t going to get the opportunity,” added Slater, who played alongside Cherry-Evans during his Origin career.

“We had a good conversation and we have a great relationship. I have played along Daly, and I’ve been the coach and he has been the captain over the last four years. We have shared some great memories and he has done some really good things.

“They are tough conversations but it was one that was had with a lot of respect.”

Slater, meanwhile, dismissed any suggestions that Cherry-Evans was a scapegoat for Queensland’s Game 1 loss, especially considering the forward pack struggled to give him a platform to play off.

“Well, it’s not the case,” he said.

“It’s just a case of the best person for the position. I’m sure people have their opinion. I’m sure you’ll have your opinion on it. It is what it is.

“At the end of the day, when you’re in this position to make decisions you’ve got to think (of) what the best thing is for the footy team and that is what we thought.”

There are some question marks over the make-up of Queensland’s new-look halves pairing considering Cherry-Evans had been the dominant kicking option when in the squad while both Dearden and Munster are naturally run-first players.

Dearden has been developing in clubland as more of a traditional halfback following Chad Townsend’s departure, but Slater also said that the Cowboys playmaker will “get a bit of help” when asked whether the 24-year-old can take control in the Origin arena.

“There are some good players in and around him,” added Slater.

Cherry-Evans’ omission also leaves Slater with a leadership void and the Maroons coach said the new Queensland captain would be announced on Tuesday, with Harry Grant and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui expected to be among the leading candidates.

“We’ve got quite a few club captains,” Slater said.

“Quite a few leaders within the footy team, so I feel whenever you play for the Queensland team you’re a leader in your own right anyway, no matter how old you are or what you’ve done in the past.

“Whoever is named captain, they’re going to get a fair bit of support from the leaders around him.”

Originally published as Billy Slater opens up on phone call with Daly Cherry-Evans... and responds to scapegoat claim