Cherry-Evans axe prompts Maroons’ mantra questions

Scott Bailey and Joel Gould | June 9, 2025

Ricky Stuart has suggested Queensland have broken their pick-and-stick culture by dropping captain Daly Cherry-Evans for State of Origin II to play Tom Dearden at No.7.

Maroons coach Billy Slater on Monday confirmed his 20-man squad for their must-win clash, with Cherry-Evans missing from the side.

Second-rower Beau Fermor has also been dropped, with Kurt Capewell returning to the side and Kurt Mann the new No.14 with Dearden at halfback.

Ezra Mam has also been named as a reserve as part of an extended squad, just three NRL games after his comeback from a drug-driving ban.

The Brisbane five-eighth will undergo scans on Monday morning in order to be cleared to join camp, after suffering a knock to his knee on Saturday night.

 Canberra forward Corey Horsburgh and Melbourne centre Jack Howarth are expected to be the other reserves, after Queensland were beaten 18-6 in the series opener.

But it is the dropping of Cherry-Evans that has created shockwaves, with the No.7 the first Maroons captain dropped mid-series in almost 30 years.

Speaking before the 36-year-old’s non-selection was confirmed on Sunday, former Blues halfback and coach Stuart had a subtle dig at those north of the border.

“Queensland have got this culture of they pick and stick,” the current Canberra coach said.

“They’ve got this culture that they talk about in regards to, you know, hanging tough in tough times.

“So I think that Cherry-Evans will keep his position unless they’re going to break their culture.

“(Otherwise) they’re going to break their attitude in regards to what they’ve been promoting for so many years.”

The Maroons have long preached about a pick-and-stick culture, which was evident through their dynasty between 2006 and 2017.

Stuart coached NSW in two of those seasons, falling to series losses in 2011 and 2012.

Blues players were also surprised when told of Cherry-Evans’ omission on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s their call,” second-rower Liam Martin said.

“Obviously they were disappointed with the first game. That’s Billy’s call, it’s what they think is right for the team. But we’ve just got to respond to that now.”

Dearden has started in the halves four times previously for Queensland, after first partnering Cherry-Evans in the Maroons’ 2022 series-decider success.

The 24-year-old played five-eighth for Australia in last year’s Pacific Cup win, and has had an impressive start to 2025 with North Queensland.

Dearden has scored four tries for the Cowboys, set up 11 and created 16 linebreaks, bettering Cherry-Evans’ numbers at Manly in all categories.

QUEENSLAND SQUAD FOR STATE OF ORIGIN II:

Kalyn Ponga, Xavier Coates, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Moeaki Fotuaika, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Pat Carrigan, Kurt Mann, Lindsay Collins, Kurt Capewell, Trent Loiero, Ezra Mam, Jack Howarth, Corey Horsburgh.