Former Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans stopped short of announcing his official retirement from the State of Origin arena, but the veteran halfback has thrown his full support behind incumbents Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden to do the job again this year.

Cherry-Evans played 26 games for his state and captained them in the 2025 series opener, but he was sensationally dropped after the loss at Suncorp Stadium which saw Dearden brought in to start and Munster promoted to lead the side.

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The halves led Queensland to a famous series win, with Dearden claiming the Wally Lewis Medal as the best player.

Cherry-Evans, 37, is still theoretically available for this year’s series, but the Roosters playmaker concedes the incumbents deserve first crack even though they’ve both had their struggles at club level.

“I’m never going to be that guy that just comes out and retires, but I’m very comfortable with the side that they picked last year to win the series in the back end,” he said.

“Tom Dearden and Cam Munster, there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that they’re Queensland’s best options going forward.

Daly Cherry-Evans has backed Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden to be Queensland’s halves.Source: Getty Images

“If something ever happened moving down the track, you just keep your options open, and it’d be bloody hard to say no to a Queensland jersey again. But I’m quite clear that I’m not their best option right now and I’m OK with that.

“It’s really hard to talk about yourself when it comes to what you’ve done. I’m still playing, so I’ve got nothing but great memories of State of Origin. If I got another chance, that’d be great, but if not, that’s also OK.

“It’s just having that acceptance of the reality of where we’re at right now and where I’m at. That’s fine with me.

“I’m going to continue to work really hard on my game and try and get the Roosters to keep winning footy games and have a strong input in that. But where it is right now, I completely understand it and accept it, and that’s OK.

“If I’m not picked, that’s fine, I’ll be watching at home cheering for Queensland.”

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Queensland coach Billy Slater made the tough call to drop Cherry-Evans – a man he played alongside for the Maroons – and was thrilled to see him enjoying his footy again after last year’s shock exit from Manly.

An Origin return seems highly unlikely, with Roosters halfback Sam Walker and Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam in the mix for the Queensland side.

“He’s been great. It’s good to see him enjoying his footy. He said he needed a fresh start, and he’s got that,” Slater said at the MCG on Monday.

“He’s the oldest player in our game and he’s doing a wonderful job. I’ve spoken to him a couple of times at games, and it’s good to see him putting some games together.

“It was always going to take some time with Sammy Walker and ‘Chez’ being quite similar players, but they’re making it work. They’ve got a good roster at the Roosters, so the more they play together, the better they’re going to get. That’s dangerous for the rest of the competition.”

— Martin Gabor (NCA NewsWire)

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Daly Cherry-Evans of the Maroons attacks during game one of the Men’s State of Origin series between Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium on May 28, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

DOLPHINS GUN MAKES DECISION ON FUTURE

Six-time Queensland Maroons and Australian Kangaroos representative Selwyn Cobbo has decided to reject interest from multiple teams to remain at the Dolphins for at least another season.

Making the move to the club in the off-season from the Broncos, Cobbo has decided to put pen to paper and extend his time with the Dolphins on a one-year contract extension until the end of 2027.

Scoring 51 tries in 89 NRL matches, the outside back has made an immediate impact at the club and cemented his spot in the back-line.

Known for his flair, speed and power, Cobbo’s decision to stay put is another blow to the Perth Bears who are still building their foundation roster and will enter the NRL competition next season.

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“Selwyn has already made his presence felt at the Dolphins – both on the field and off it,” said Dolphins CEO Terry Reader.

“What has been most impressive is how well he has melded into our playing group and the club in general.

“He has been a great fit for the Dolphins, and I know the environment around our club is something Selwyn has enjoyed.

“We believe this contract extension is just the start of what will be a long career for Selwyn in the Dolphins’ jersey.”

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 02: Selwyn Cobbo of the Dolphins looks on during the round five NRL match between Dolphins and Manly Sea Eagles at Kayo Stadium, on April 02, 2026, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

NRL PROVIDE CLARITY ON HIGH CONTACT RULINGS

The NRL has confirmed that Bunker officials have the discretion to rule on high contact following uproar on Friday night that the Storm weren’t awarded a penalty despite winger Will Warbrick appearing to be collected in the head.

Warbrick was slapped across the face by Raiders halfback Ethan Sanders with 66 seconds remaining and the Storm down by four and on the attack, but no penalty was given on the field.

The Storm then challenged the ruling, only for Bunker official Liam Kennedy to support the original decision.

“There is no high contact. It is only incidental,” he said.

“The captain’s challenge is unsuccessful.”

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There was plenty of debate after the match, with fans and the media confused why the Storm weren’t awarded a penalty when Eels skipper Mitchell Moses had challenged something similar on Easter Monday and was given a crucial penalty.

It’s a tough one given fans were blowing up at the time that the contact didn’t warrant a penalty, but then people were equally upset that consistency wasn’t applied for something that looked almost identical.

There have been similar cases throughout the year, with Roosters skipper James Tedesco challenging a high shot by Braydon Trindall, and the Bunker awarding a penalty despite there only being glancing contact.

And there is precedent from two years ago when former Dolphins skipper Jesse Bromwich was penalised by the Bunker for a high shot on Tom Trbojevic that resulted in public outrage.

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The Warbrick ruling could be a line-in-the-sand moment that not all high contact will result in a penalty, with fans and players simply hoping for consistency going forward with the Bunker to factor in force and not just contact with the head.

There was another controversial moment at the end of the Storm game when fullback Sua Fa’alogo was whacked in the head by Hudson Young.

The Raiders forward was allowed to stay on the field even though Fa’alogo was forced off for a head injury assessment, which meant he couldn’t help them as they searched for a potential matchwinning try.

Young was subsequently banned for two matches, with the NRL conceding he should have finished the game in the sin bin, which would’ve given the Storm a crucial numerical advantage.

— Martin Gabor (NCA NewsWire)