State of Origin: James Hooper has called for Queensland to appoint Cameron Munster to be named captain if Slater does drop DCE.
Daly Cherry-Evans isn’t the only Queensland superstar who should have his head on the chopping block going into Thursday night’s showdown between Manly and Newcastle.FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play.
If Ponga can’t at least aim up for his club, how does he keep his spot in the Maroons’ starting team for a do-or-die Origin?IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD. Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. Given Reece Walsh is listed to return from injury when the Broncos take on the Titans on Saturday, there is also a push from some very influential Queenslanders for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to be considered at his preferred fullback position. Of course, this wouldn’t even be a discussion if Ponga had been playing anywhere close to his best this season.It’s beyond comprehension that the greatest attacking weapon in the NRL has not scored a single try in 10 games. To put it in perspective, Ponga had three tries in 16 games last year, but the season before he had nine in 20 games on his way to winning the Dally M Medal. On top of that Ponga has only six try assists , while he has only four linebreaks , 12 linebreak assists and 42 tackle busts . Throw in his figures in Origin 1 where he finished with a respectable 128m but still never looked a serious threat, with only three tackle busts and no linebreaks or try assists.‘Killing us!!!’: What really happened after wife’s Ricky sledge almost ended star’s Raiders careerWhile it would seem unthinkable Slater would completely axe Ponga from the squad, moving him to the bench could solve several issues. Firstly, keeping Tabuai-Fidow at centre is another massive gamble given the way the Hammer constantly comes off second-best when marking up against Stephen Crichton. But fullback is the position where he excels, and Hammer has scored eight tries for the Dolphins this year. There has been some speculation Tabuai-Fidow could be shifted to the wing and Val Holmes into the centres. But with talk escalating Slater will start Tom Dearden at halfback ahead of DCE, that would open up the utility spot on the bench that Ponga could cover perfectly. Walsh’s return against the Titans will obviously also play a significant part in the selection discussion given how highly Slater rates the Broncos fullback. But it would be a huge call rushing Walsh back into a must-win Origin after only one NRL game, while Hammer’s form for the Dolphins against the Dragons on Friday night could be the key to how this plays out. And after missing last week’s loss to the Dragons, Ponga also returns under a fitness cloud due to a painful ankle injury that limited his preparations going into Origin I. It’s no secret that the Knights’ attack has been a disaster this season, with by far the least points scored of any team . And while Ponga’s input is obviously a reflection of a bigger issue, there is also no way of sugarcoating the fact his individual form is also a reflection of the team’s struggles. Don’t forget that when Ponga pulled out of Mal Meninga’s Kangaroo squad at the end of last season he said it was because he wanted to focus on starting this season fresh and making Newcastle his priority.If the Knights are to be any hope of playing finals football this year, they need their marquee man at least playing somewhere close to his best.As great a player as Ponga is, what we’ve seen from him so far this season does not warrant automatic Origin selection.The answer to solving the ongoing crisis at the Brisbane Broncos is staring them in the face.It was madness in the first place that Ikin was basically pushed out the door when Kevvie Walters was coach .And while Ikin is doing a great job running the QRL, the Broncos board should be making him their priority signing for next season ahead of any player. Because while all the other so-called leaders at the Broncos have been ducking for cover, it took Ikin to come out publicly and give Michael Maguire some long overdue advice that Madge would be mad not to take on board. Speaking on SEN Radio, Ikin did not make it personal against Maguire, but certainly spoke with a clear conviction when he declared Madge must adapt or “he will be the one they push out the door”.“Here’s the issue: if ‘Madge’ can’t find people that line up with him, then the problem isn’t the people, the problem is Madge.It was a statement that had leadership written all over it.How the Broncos do not see he is exactly the right person they need to fix their mess probably best sums up exactly where the club is at.It was interesting listening to Phil Gould push for Reed Mahoney to be included in the Queensland team this week. Given all the smoke and mirrors that preceded Lachlan Galvin’s arrival at the Bulldogs, surely we are entitled to question if Gus is now playing poker with Billy Slater. By trying to push up Mahoney’s market value on the back of the hooker being granted permission to talk with rival clubs. Of course, Mahoney is a very good footballer but there is a reason the Dogs are allowing him to explore his options given he is not off contract until the end of 2026.While not many can argue Origin selections with the great Gus, it would still seem a strange choice picking Mahoney and moving Harry Grant back to the bench, because it would leave Queensland without an interchange option in the backs.In what’s shaping up as another great round of NRL action, Sunday’s clash between the Raiders and Rabbitohs should be a beauty. On the same day the Raiders celebrate Josh Papali’i overtaking Jason Croker’s club record 318 games, they will be in for another tough fight with the Rabbitohs boosted by the return of Cody Walker and former Raider Jack Wighton. And as solid as the Rabbitohs’ young halves Jamie Humphreys and Jayden Sullivan were against the Warriors last week, the return of Walker is the key to getting more out of Latrell Mitchell.But Walker’s ability to bring Latrell into the game has the potential to take Souths to the next level as the charge to the finals begins. A big game from Keaon Koloamatangi against the gun Raiders pack could also open the door for him to jump into the NSW squad on the back of Mitch Barnett’s unfortunate season-ending knee injury. As for the Raiders, this is their last game before their first bye and they will be extra motivated not to let big Pappa down on his big day.
Market Value Queensland Maroons Lord Gould Of Brookwood James Hooper Jamie Humphreys Cody Walker Try Assists Jayden Sullivan Marquee Man Val Holmes Words Son Selection Discussion Tackle Busts Fullback Switch So-Called Leaders Billy Slater Competition Points Ben Hunt Preferred Fullback Position Interchange Option Unfortunate Season-Ending Brisbane Broncos Stephen Crichton Clean House Daly Cherry-Evans Dolphins Selection Stunner Painful Ankle Injury Young Halves Chief Executive Utility Spot Broncos Board Linebreak Assists Oceania Paul Crawley Dave Donaghy Australia And New Zealand Fitness Cloud Cameron Munster Tom Dearden Lachlan Galvin Mid-Season Report Card Michael Maguire Least Points Scored Mitch Barnett Australia Priority Signing Finals Football Jason Croker Queensland
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