Slater was coy when asked about selection on the Nine Network’s Sunday Footy Show, and did not discuss the halfback position in depth.
Queensland dropped Trevor Gillmeister when he was captain in the 1990s.
Pat Carrigan speaks highly of both Cherry-Evans and Tom Dearden.Credit: Bradley Kanaris/Getty
NSW last year made the call to drop James Tedesco for Origin I, before recalling him through injury and then leaving him out again for game two.
But neither state has decided to drop a captain from their side midway through a series this century.
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Cherry-Evans’ omission is even more significant considering only Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith have captained more Origins for their state.
Dearden has won one of four games starting for the Maroons as a five-eighth, partnering Cherry-Evans in last year’s series, and in the 2023 dead rubber.
Queensland lock Pat Carrigan said he believed the North Queensland playmaker would be ready for the challenge.
“I played with Tommy when he debuted [for Brisbane], and his competitive nature hasn’t changed,” the Maroons lock said.
“He is playing great footy for the Cowboys, and you put him in a Queensland jersey, and he just grows to another level.
“Whether it be Chez or it be Tommy, I know they can get the job done, and we are going to need them to.”
Carrigan also spoke highly of Cherry-Evans.
“Chez has done a lot for me, not only as a footballer with advice, but as a friend too. I love playing with him,” he said.
“He is a great man with great values, and I know all the boys really appreciate him a lot too.
“The big fella’s footy speaks for itself. I know what the boys think of him, and how Queensland rugby league thinks of him as well.”
Slater must also weigh up who to bring in at No.14 and replace Dearden on the bench, with Kurt Mann the favourite.
The Canberra Raiders’ Corey Horsburgh could be brought in to bolster the Maroons’ muscle.Credit: NRL Photos
There have also been calls for Canberra forward Corey Horsburgh to come into the side, after the Maroons pack were outmuscled in Origin I.
“I thoroughly believe whoever gets picked in that team deserves to be there and can well and truly get it done,” Carrigan said.
“We were our own worst enemy with some discipline things. I led the way.
“If we dial back that sort of aggression, there are plenty of really good forwards to well and truly handle the job.”
AAP
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