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Pull the trigger: Why Slater has to drop Cherry-Evans
SEN • June 5th, 2025 12:35 pm
Corey Parker says it’s time for Billy Slater to pull the trigger on Daly Cherry-Evans’ Origin career and drop the veteran for the next showdown with NSW.
While admitting he is close friends with the 36-year-old, Parker sees no benefit in delaying the inevitable if the Maroons want to claw their way back into the series after a 18-6 defeat at Suncorp Stadium last month.
There have been widespread calls for Slater to make significant changes to his side before the second clash which will be played in Perth, and Parker thinks the first man to go is Cherry-Evans.
“Daly Cherry-Evans doesn’t hold his spot,” the SENQ Breakfast host said.
“The Queensland jersey owes nobody anything. Cherry-Evans is the captain and people bang on about pick and stick but the reality is they’ve lost the last four out of five games.
“Game 1 could have been pick and stick, you pick and stick when you’re winning
“He’s been an amazing servant for Queensland, I played with him, he’s a good friend, he’s a mate, but there comes a time.
“At 36 years of age do you wait until after this game and hypothetically if they lose he definitely doesn’t play game three.
“Or do you pull the trigger now and go forward with where you’re at.
“That’s the dilemma, that’s the conundrum they’re facing. I think there could be change in the halfback role.”
It is understood Slater will name his squad for the Perth clash on the morning of the King’s Birthday public holiday on Monday.
Should DCE miss out, Tom Dearden will likely replace him in the No.7 jersey.
Slater is under no illusions that change needs to happen.
“I don’t point the finger at any one player,” he told Channel 9 this week. “You’ve got to sit down and take your time after each game. You review the game and performance.
“Given our performance in game one – something needs to change.
“It doesn’t have to be personnel, but it might be an attitude shift, actions on the field or continuity within the group.
“I’m a believer in that if you do the same thing and expect a different result then you’re pretty silly.
“Whether that’s personnel change or we shift our mindset going into the game, I’m not sure yet.”
Breakfast with Corey Parker & Ian Healy – Monday to Friday from 6am-9am – LIVE on Brisbane’s SENQ 693am and the SEN app
