Billy Slater will name the qld origin team for Game 1 on Monday morning. His 9am call will settle Queensland's opener lineup, with the halfback spot still the main selection issue after Tom Dearden's serious ankle injury ruled him out of contention.
Slater and the Halfback Call
Dearden's injury changed the picture fast. Last week, the Queensland playmaker suffered a serious ankle injury, and that opened the door for a recall for Daly Cherry-Evans while Sam Walker and Jake Clifford remain options at halfback.
That leaves Slater with a clear choice and a narrow pool. The selection is not about building a squad around depth; it is about choosing who starts Game 1 in a position already affected by injury.
Cherry-Evans, Walker, Clifford
Daly Cherry-Evans now appears to have a door open for a recall. Walker is another option, and Clifford is also in the frame, giving Queensland three different paths for the same spot.
The timing matters because the announcement comes at 9am on Monday, before the rest of the week can turn to preparation. Once Slater names the side, the halfback call will define how Queensland lines up for the State of Origin opener and who carries the responsibilities left vacant by Dearden's absence.
For Queensland, the team sheet will answer the immediate question created by last week's injury. It will also show whether Slater leans toward experience in Cherry-Evans or turns to Walker or Clifford for Game 1.
