Who will Billy Slater pick in the Maroons No.7 jumper?

Queensland Maroons veteran Ben Hunt says Sam Walker and Tanah Boyd are up to the task of filling the state’s halfback void left by Tom Dearden.

A syndesmosis injury has ruled Dearden out of the series opener in Sydney on May 27. He is no guarantee of being available for game two in Melbourne on June 17.

Dearden’s absence strips the Maroons of a man in form – leading the competition for line engagements (79) while sitting third for try assists (11), second in line break assists (14) and second for line break involvements.

Coach Billy Slater’s safest options are the veterans – Daly Cherry-Evans, Jamal Fogarty and Hunt, the latter pairing both just returning from calf and knee injuries respectively.

However, if Slater is hunting fast, direct play, none of the No.7 contenders have engaged the line more than Walker (43), while he boasts the most forced drop-outs (10).

His 84 running metres a game makes him one of the stronger threats vying for the job – trailing Jake Clifford (85) and Jayden Campbell (113).

While Clifford makes a strong case with his booming kicking game and strong defence (90.1 per cent efficiency), Boyd has emerged as a smokey after guiding the Warriors to the top two.

He sits in the NRL’s top five for points (92), line break involvements (11), kick metres (4839) and attacking kicks (70), while producing 10 try assists.

“He’s been superb, the Warriors are obviously playing some really good footy, and he’s been the spearhead of that,” Hunt said.

“He had a rough drop at the start of his career [at the Titans], and he’s got a new lease on life over there. He’s a really good defender, his best attribute is probably his kicking game – and that’s something in Origin that’s really important getting you out of trouble.

“If he gets a shot, he’ll be good.”

Hunt also said Walker would be up for the job if selected.

“I don’t see why not,” Hunt said.

“He’s playing some really good footy, him and Chez [Cherry-Evans] both are playing really good. It’s kind of like Tommy last year, people didn’t think he was up for it, he got the opportunity, and was our best player. Sammy’s a good little player and if he got the opportunity, I think he’d stand up.”

Favourite: Sam Walker
Contenders: Tanah Boyd, Jake Clifford, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jamal Fogarty, Braydon Trindall, Ben Hunt, Jayden Campbell
Unavailable: Tom Dearden

Fullback

Favourite: Reece Walsh
Contender: Kalyn Ponga

Reece Walsh appeared destined to add to his five Origin caps after inspiring the Brisbane Broncos’ breakthrough premiership – earning the Clive Churchill Medal and a Kangaroos debut. But his 2026 form has been hindered.

Walsh missed three games after suffering a fractured cheekbone, and since returning has struggled against Manly, but turned in a sizzling second half against the Roosters – kick-started by a brilliant try-saving tackle. 

Knights skipper Kalyn Ponga – who also missed six weeks with a hamstring issue – has been emphatic since making his comeback for Newcastle a fortnight ago, coming up with three try assists while running for more than 200 metres each game.

Wingers

Favourites: Murray Taulagi and Selwyn Cobbo
Contenders: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Dane Gagai, Phil Sami, Jojo Fifita, Valentine Holmes
Unavailable: Xavier Coates

Murray Taulagi remains in doubt after being sidelined with a concussion suffered in round eight, but if fit may need to be ushered straight in given Xavier Coates’ Achilles injury and Valentine Holmes’ dip in form.

Taulagi, 27, has worn the Maroon kit six times, and has a great relationship with centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Taulagi is a strong aerial threat who gets his side out of trouble with his carries. He should be joined in the squad Dolphin Selwyn Cobbo.

Since arriving leaving the Broncos, Cobbo has transformed his work rate, and has also only missed four tackles this season, while making nine line breaks. However, his handling errors remain a concern (18).

Centres

Favourites: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Robert Toia
Contenders: Thomas Chester, Dane Gagai, Jaxon Purdue, Gehamat Shibasaki

Robert Toia rose to the occasion last year despite being in his debut NRL campaign, and has carried on his work for the Roosters in 2026 – scoring six tries while running for 105 metres a game. His defensive reads are also valuable, with his tackling efficiency remaining at 86.7 per cent.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored nine of his 11 Origin tries in the centres, but should Slater shift him to the wing, that could open the door for a bolter like Cowboys gun Tom Chester (185 running metres a game, 10 line breaks, 90 per cent tackle efficiency).

Five-eighth

Favourite: Cameron Munster

Despite Melbourne’s poor start, Maroons captain Cameron Munster will be retained. He is the ir leader and always rises in Origin. He returned to form with two tries as the Storm broke a seven-game losing streak against the Tigers.

Props

Favourites: Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Lindsay Collins
Contenders: Corey Horsburgh, Tom Gilbert, Thomas Flegler, Reuben Cotter, Moeaki Fotuaika
Unavailable: Jai Arrow

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will be the leader of the Maroons’ four-man prop rotation, having thrived on this stage in the past. While Lindsay Collins’ has not been at his best, he is proven in Origin and is an effort player Slater loves.

For the bench, Corey Horsburgh is the favourite. Tom Gilbert should edge out Dolphins teammate Thomas Flegler for the other spot, despite the latter’s three-week purple patch in which he did not miss a tackle and ran for 121 metres a game before an ill-disciplined display against the Bulldogs.

Second row

Favourites: Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Reuben Cotter
Contenders: Heilum Luki, Jaydn Su’A, Beau Fermor, Briton Nikora
Unavailable: David Fifita, Jeremiah Nanai, Brendan Piakura

Despite playing lock for the Cowboys, Reuben Cotter has performed strongly on the edge for Queensland before. But the form players are both prospective debutants – Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Heilum Luki.

Finefeuiaki trails Jackson Ford and Haumole Olakau’atu for post-contact metres (662) this year, while he has run for more metres than any second rower in the competition.

Luki has overcome a horror injury run – which included two ruptured ACLs – and fulfilled on his promise. No edge forward boasts as many as his seven line breaks.

Lock

Favourite: Pat Carrigan
Contenders: Trent Loiero, Cooper Bai
Unavailable: J’maine Hopgood

Pat Carrigan may not be producing numbers as clinical as he has in the past this year, but given he still averages 144 running metres and 46 tackles a game.

Hooker

Favourite: Harry Grant

Harry Grant picks himself. His efforts against Wests Tigers last week were on point: a try and setting up two more while producing three line breaks and making 44 tackles.

Utility

Favourite: Max Plath
Contenders: Kurt Mann, Kodi Nikorima, Ben Hunt