A delay in Tom Dearden’s recovery from a syndesmosis injury has ensured Sam Walker will see out his maiden State of Origin campaign, and give him the chance to do what NSW counterpart Nathan Cleary has thus far failed to achieve.
Dearden was thought to be an outside chance of returning for game two and all but certain to be a consideration for the final match of the series, after being given an initial comeback timeline of four to six weeks following round 10.
But the North Queensland co-captain has failed to take the field.
That opens the door for Walker to achieve what Dearden did last year: finish the series with the Wally Lewis Medal.
Following a starring debut in game one, Walker garnered man of the match honours in game two.
Plus, Walker’s head-to-head battle with Cleary gives him the opportunity to guide his team to a series-deciding victory. Cleary has lost all three series he has been a part of, with the 2026 series locked at 1-1.
Maroons coach Billy Slater stressed the outcome of next Wednesday’s decider would not fall on Walker’s shoulders.
“They’re great talking points … but one thing I love about Sammy is he’s not outcome focused,” Slater said.
“He’s really dialled in to what helps him play well, that’s what he’s done to get himself in this position, and I’m sure that’s what he’ll continue to focus on.
“He’s been great, as too his teammates. It’s really important we focus on what helps us play well, so as much as it is great talking points and there’s going to be a lot of discussions around individuals in this footy team, I can tell you from within we’ll be locking in to what helps us play well.”
Dearden’s inability to overcome his injury has helped Reece Walsh keep his place on the six-man bench, despite the Broncos fullback not being brought on during game two.
There were plenty of theories as to how Walsh would be deployed, and he triggered a huge roar from the crowd when he was spotted on the sidelines with a headset on once Kalyn Ponga was sidelined for a head injury assessment.
Many pundits felt a game breaker of his calibre, despite his indifferent form at clubland, made him a waste to be sitting on the interchange, with suggestions floating that he could be used through the middle of the field late in the game.
Slater remained coy on how Walsh could be used.
“There are different ways we can inject anyone on our bench … if Kalyn had have come off in that incident Reece would’ve gone straight on, and that’s why he was ready to go on,” Slater said.
“The one thing I loved about Reece’s preparation last camp was he was willing to do whatever it took for the team, whatever was needed. I had a conversation with him last night to notify him of his selection again, and he’s all in for whatever is needed.
“Sometimes we can get hung up on any one individual, but the strength of this team is the team.”
NSW coach Laurie Daley has come under fire for his tactics and team selections, after the Blues started game one poorly to fall 20-0 behind before being blown off the park in a 44-24 defeat at the MCG.
Daley has swung the axe by dropping Brian To’o, Dylan Lucas, Kotoni Staggs, Victor Radley and Api Koroisau, with Jack Bostock, Haumole Olakau’atu, Liam Martin, Blayke Brailey and Bradman Best called upon.
Slater – who hinted this would not be his final game in charge of the Maroons, despite being uncontracted beyond this year – said such commentary would not impact Queensland’s mindset.
“For us, they bring in a guy with different strengths, so as a member of the team that they’re playing against, we have to acknowledge that,” Slater said.
“We have to acknowledge the players we’re going to be faced with, and what strengths they have and how we want to combat that. It’s not so much about all the other stuff and whether it’s the right or wrong decision, it’s about what’s in front of us.
“It’s really important to focus on the nine days in front of us, and the 80 minutes at the end of those nine days. If you focus on what other people are talking about, that will fill your headspace.”
