Should DCE give up State of Origin?

Charles Goodsir • April 23rd, 2025 12:08 pm

Former Queensland Maroons coach Mal Meninga has backed Daly Cherry-Evans to continue as Queensland captain for the upcoming State of Origin series.

At the age of 36, Cherry-Evans remains one of the best playmakers in the NRL. However, following a dramatic saga in which he informed the Manly Sea Eagles that he would join a rival club in 2026, he and the club’s form has waned significantly.

Meninga, who coached Cherry-Evans to a number of Origin series wins, believes the current Maroons skipper should still be picked if his form warrants selection.

“My view is that if he’s playing well enough, then he plays Origin,” Meninga told SENQ Breakfast.

“Why some (sections of the media) are suggesting (Cherry-Evans sit out of Origin) is that he’s not playing well at the moment.

“Ever since he’s made the announcement that he’s leaving, the team has gone downhill.

“There’s obviously a bit of spite (within Manly) since he made the decision to leave the club.

“They’ve paid him a lot of dollars but he’s given them great service as well.

“If DCE is playing well enough and he wants to play, well he just has to play Origin.

“I’m a great advocate for doing as much as you can until you retire.

“If you are good enough to play representative football, you put your hand up and you play representative football.”

Rugby League columnist Paul Crawley called for Cherry-Evans to make himself unavailable for Origin football on NRL 360 and devote his time entirely to Manly given their recent poor performances.

Crawley cited Cherry-Evans’ desire to win one more Premiership with Manly and he believes removing himself from Queensland calculations would give him and the Sea Eagles the best opportunity.

SEN’s Corey Parker suggested a few names who could assume Cherry-Evans’ position as halfback should he choose to focus on club football in 2025 and beyond.

“There are certainly a couple of candidates,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.

“Ben Hunt plays in the halves and he’s been part of the Queensland fold.

“Tom Dearden could play half and then there’s Cameron Munster of course.”

Game I of the 2025 State of Origin series will be held at Suncorp Stadium on May 28.