Daly Cherry-Evans opens up on 'tough' Maroons axing as Roosters rumour lingers

Daly Cherry-Evans has revealed he had no indication from Maroons coach Billy Slater he was about to be dropped from the Queensland side for State of Origin II.

Rumours started swirling virtually immediately after the final hooter sounded at Suncorp Stadium after game one that Cherry-Evans' place in the side was in doubt.

They reached fever pitch last weekend, before confirmation finally came on Monday morning when Slater's team was announced.

READ MORE: Why this photo could spell the end of an iconic Smith chapter

READ MORE: To hell and back: Near-death moment Garside almost repeated

READ MORE: Ciraldo calls for Origin shake-up after Burton's Blues snub

Speaking to media after Manly's 28-8 loss to the Titans on the Gold Coast, Cherry-Evans said Slater's call on the Sunday to let him know was the first time he'd heard it from the horse's mouth.

But he insists he was able to move on quickly and focus on the Titans clash.

"The start of the week was tough – Sunday I got the news (and) Monday had to go to training and face the boys," he said.

"After that, I honestly started to feel, you know, normal. This is not the first time that I've been dropped from the Queensland side, so I guess I've had experience to take it on board.

"You just can't worry about the things you can't control and the initial news was tough, but I moved on and thought we were going to come here tonight and play some really good footy."

Watch the 2025 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Cherry-Evans was then asked directly if he'd been given any indication the decision was looming.

"No – I just got the call on Sunday and then just, yeah, moved on from there," he said.

The Perth fixture will be the first Origin clash Cherry-Evans has missed since game two of 2018.

The 36-year-old had a shocker against the Titans. He twice kicked the ball dead, and was completely outplayed by Titans opposite number Kieran Foran, who produced his best game of the year.

It's Manly's second loss in as many weeks to a bottom-four side, having also lost to Newcastle in a golden point thriller last week.

Cherry-Evans was also asked if his mooted move to the Roosters could collapse, his tepid form giving the Bondi club cold feet.

"I sort of don't understand that stuff - I stay out of it," he said.

"All I can do is control my footy at Manly and speculation will be speculation.

"But obviously we've just lost a couple in a row so it would be silly for me to be worrying about stuff like that."

The Sea Eagles have a bye next week, and then face the Tigers at home the following Friday.