The upcoming match on Wednesday night holds more significance for Sam Walker than just keeping the Maroons in the State of Origin series. There is also an opportunity to ensure that the reigning Wally Lewis Medal winner does not reclaim his jersey.
Despite Queensland’s 22-20 loss in the first game, which came after a dramatic finish when Kalyn Ponga was sent off, Walker delivered a performance that warranted consideration for man of the match honours on his debut. The Roosters halfback, who has been praised by Darren Lockyer and Wayne Bennett as the next Allan “Alfie” Langer, contributed two try assists for Robert Toia and Tom Flegler, giving his state an early advantage. His kicking game also played a crucial role in creating pressure that led to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scoring from a Cameron Munster grubber.
Queensland coach Billy Slater believes that Walker will need to push himself further now that he has experienced Origin.
“I think whenever you play well, whether it’s an individual game or a season, backing it up the next year or game is something you really need to focus on,” Slater said.
“We always chase improvements, and sometimes we forget about getting back to the standard that you actually played that game in.”
Even if Walker leads a Maroons comeback in Melbourne and forces a Suncorp Stadium decider, his chances of completing the campaign remain uncertain. Incumbent halfback Tom Dearden, who was last year’s player of the series, was expected to return against the Warriors on Sunday after a syndesmosis injury sustained in round 10. However, he has not been named in the squad, with club teammate and Maroons winger Murray Taulagi suggesting there may be further delays.
“I think he had a bit of a setback with his injury, but he should be back just after the bye. Everyone’s pretty keen to see Tommy back in action,” Taulagi said of the player who recorded two tries, a try assist, two linebreak assists, and 243 running metres across games two and three last year.
Maroons and North Queensland forward Reuben Cotter added: “I know he would have liked to have been here for game two and help with preparations, but obviously it wasn’t to be. But he’s doing everything he can back home to make sure he’s ready to go … he’s on track, I think the recovery they said would be four to six weeks, so it’s all going ahead.”
Should Dearden return next week, he will have just one game – against the ladder-leading Panthers – to prove he has not missed a beat and will be able to make an Origin impact in game three.
Before his setback, Dearden had been in electric form, continuing from a career-best 2025 campaign in which he earned his first Test jumpers for Australia. After Queensland struggled when attempting to run around the Blues, Dearden’s direct approach changed the series’ dynamics when he was called into the halfback jersey at the expense of skipper Daly Cherry-Evans.
His trademark lavish dummy as he runs hard at rival defences has made him a nightmare for opposing teams, as noted by Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima.
“I got the chance to play against JT [Johnathan Thurston] – he was one of the best halves to go down in the game – and he just has the same traits as what he does,” Nikorima said.
“We see him turn up on defence, he’s got a run-first mentality when he’s got the ball which makes him a threat, and I think the best thing about him is he just competes to the end. He breaks tackles, he’s starting to add that pass and kicking to his game, and it’s going to make him even more of a threat.”
Despite Dearden’s successes, Walker must focus on the strengths that earned his call-up if he is to inspire a win and convince Slater that continuity is needed for game three. His strengths lie in his instinctive short kicking game and ability to play what is in front of him without fear.
“If anyone can, Sammy can,” Maroons forward Kurt Capewell said.
“I think a lot of the great players stick to their guns. You’ve got to be confident in those positions, so [he needs to] back himself. If it doesn’t come off, we’re there to defend it.”
