The NSW and Queensland coaches have some interesting calls to make.
Manly’s disappointing loss to Cronulla on Sunday has sparked questions around whether Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic might both be overlooked for State of Origin selection. And it could have major ramifications for Latrell Mitchell.
Cherry-Evans and Trbojevic were both well below their best in the 30-14 loss, and Turbo didn’t look 100 per cent fit at all. Many have picked Trbojevic in their expected NSW teams for Origin 1, with the majority believing he’ll play centre of wing.
But the fact he didn’t look fit on Sunday has thrown up a massive curveball. Coming off the bye in Round 9, Trbojevic had two games to stake his case for State of Origin selection before the team is picked at the end of Round 11.
But he failed to shine on Sunday and didn’t look 100 per cent, and may miss out to Mitchell. If Laurie Daley believes Turbo is too big of a risk, the door is firmly ajar for Mitchell to win a spot in the centres.
Incumbent wingers Brian To’o and Zac Lomax have both been out injured, but should both play in Round 11. Daley can also call on Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz, who has been in stellar form and was selected in the Kangaroos squad at the end of last year before injury ruled him out.
Latrell Mitchell playing his way into NSW centres
Stephen Crichton is a lock for one of the centre spots, and Mitchell is playing himself into the other one ahead of Trbojevic. Mitchell was sensational while playing in the centres in Game 2 last year, before a foot injury saw him miss the decider. Bradman Best came in and scored the series-winning try, but hasn’t been in great form to start 2025.
Mitchell was superb on Friday night as the Rabbitohs scored a shock win over the Broncos. He nailed a long-range field goal to put the Bunnies ahead before pulling Brisbane’s pants down with a cheeky try at the death.
Has Tom Dearden overtaken Daly Cherry-Evans for Maroons?
As for Cherry-Evans, the Manly halfback appears a certainty to be picked in Billy Slater’s team for Game 1 after informing the Queensland coach he’s keen to play on in the rep arena. But Cowboys five-eighth Tom Dearden has increased pressure on Slater and Cherry-Evans in recent weeks.
DCE was poor against the Sharks and missed a number of tackles that led to Sharks tries. He didn’t even bother making an attempt on Addin Fonua-Blake when he crashed over in the first half.
Dearden has been sensational in the Cowboys’ recent games against the Titans, Warriors and Panthers, and starred for the Kangaroos when they won the Pacific Championships last year. Cherry-Evans’ form has dropped off a cliff since announcing he’s leaving Manly at the end of the season, and many believe Slater should pick Dearden and Cameron Munster in the halves for Queensland.
With Ben Hunt ruled out of Origin 1 after tearing his hamstring, Dearden will likely grab a spot on the Maroons’ bench. But many would have him ahead of Cherry-Evans and starting at halfback.
“The DCE thing (leaving), you can’t help but think it is serving as a distraction,” Matty Johns said on Sunday night. “Them at Brookvale are very hard to beat and I expected them to come out of the sheds just blazing and playing sideline to sideline.”
