Daly Cherry-Evans glittering Queensland career could be over, with reports the Maroons skipper will be axed by Billy Slater for the must-win Game 2 of the series.

The 36-year old was well below his best in the Maroons’ 6-18 loss to NSW in Game 1 of the series at Suncorp Stadium, with the veteran’s age, mediocre NRL form for Manly and the desperate need for change leading to speculation he could become the first Queensland captain to be axed mid-series since Trevor Gillmeister in 1996.

According to the Courier-Mail, Slater is set to do just that for Game 2 of the series at Optus Stadium when the Maroons’ team is named on Monday morning.

His likely replacement at No.7 would be Tom Dearden, who once again impressed for North Queensland during the Cowboys’ heavy loss to the Storm on Friday night.

Dearden was solid without being spectacular coming off the bench in Game 1, while he has previously featured at five-eighth for the Maroons, including in all three matches of NSW’s come-from-behind 2024 series win and filling in for Cameron Munster in their thrilling Game 3 victory to take the 2022 series, after Munster came down with a last-minute COVID case.

Speaking after the Cowboys’ 38-14 loss, coach Todd Payten was adamant Dearden should be Slater’s man.

“I know he’s ready,” Payten said.

“Selfishly, I want him to come off the bench. But if they want to win you put him in the halves.”

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Blues officials will name their squad for Origin II after this weekend, with the final game on the public holiday Monday between Canterbury and Parramatta.

Apisai Koroisau would remain the most likely back-up option for the Blues, after losing his spot to Robson in the 2023 series.

Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey would be another option, while NSW already have Sydney Roosters No.9 Connor Watson in their side as a bench utility.

NSW selectors already have one decision to make ahead of game two, with prop Mitchell Barnett ruled out for the season with an ACL rupture.

Melbourne’s Stefano Utoikamanu is favoured to replace him, while South Sydney workhorse Keaon Koloamatangi is making a strong case.

Mitchell Barnett. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

After totalling 494 metres in his first two games since moving from second row to prop at Souths, the one-time Origin player ran another 189m on Sunday.

Canterbury’s Max King, after an accomplished first appearance for NSW, could get promoted to the run-on team.

Canterbury veteran Kurt Mann could get an Origin debut at 32 if Dearden is elevated to the starting side from his bench utility role.

Cowboys forward Jeremiah Nanai is free to play after copping a grade-one charge for a crusher tackle in Saturday’s win over Wests Tigers with payment of a $3000 fine meaning he avoids a two-game ban.

Maroons teammate Beau Fermor is also available for Origin selection despite being charged for a high tackle which has only earned the Titans second-rower a fine of $1800.

Queensland have suffered a blow in their bid to level the State of Origin series after Murray Taulagi failed to recover from injury for the last round before teams are picked for Game 2.

The North Queensland winger had been expected to overcome a calf issue in time to face Melbourne and make a late charge for selection calculations for Origin II in Perth on June 18.

Instead, Payten omitted the six-time Maroon from his extended squad altogether, with Jaxson Paulo holding a starting spot on the wing.

AAP has been told Taulagi is a chance for selection in round 15 but is rated as unlikely to be brought into the Maroons’ set-up given he has not played since round 11.

It means Slater will need to look elsewhere if he wants to replace Valentine Holmes following an underwhelming series opener from the veteran.

Reece Walsh is set for one last chance to push his own selection case for the Broncos on Saturday against the Gold Coast so he could replace Kalyn Ponga at fullback.

Slater is also considering shaking up his forwards with Corey Horsburgh, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and J’maine Hopgood in contention for a call-up.

Dragons forward Jaydn Su’A limped off with an ankle injury in the first half of St George Illawarra’s win over Newcastle on Friday night and will sit out Round 14 so it would be a gamble for the Maroons to recall him to the pack.

Ponga sat out Round 13 with an ankle problem but is back this week. Veteran utility Ben Hunt is no chance of being available due to his hamstring injury.

Likely Origin II teams

Blues vs Maroons at Optus Stadium: 8pm, Wednesday June 18

NSW

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Brian To’o
3. Stephen Crichton
4. Latrell Mitchell
5. Zac Lomax
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Max King
9. Reece Robson
10. Payne Haas
11. Liam Martin
12. Angus Crichton
13. Isaah Yeo (c)
14. Connor Watson
15. Spencer Leniu
16. Hudson Young
17. Stefano Utoikamanu
18. Campbell Graham

Queensland

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Xavier Coates
3. Robert Toia
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Valentine Holmes
6. Cameron Munster
7. Tom Dearden
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Harry Grant
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. Reuben Cotter
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Patrick Carrigan
14. Kurt Mann
15. Lindsay Collins
16. Beau Fermor
17. Trent Loeiro
18. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

with AAP