Smith's huge DCE, Walsh calls as icon names Maroons team

Queensland legend Cameron Smith has thrown his support behind Sam Walker to fill the vacant halfback role for the State of Origin series opener.

The state's all-time most capped player believes it's time to pull the trigger on the talented Sydney Roosters playmaker after a strong start to the season.

Walker is one of the front-runners to replace the injured Tom Dearden in the side, with his club teammate Daly Cherry-Evans also firmly in the mix.

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But according to Smith, selectors should cast an eye towards the future and blood Walker as opposed to bringing Cherry-Evans back after he was axed last year.

Coach Billy Slater made the seismic call to axe Cherry-Evans after a game one loss, despite the veteran being his Origin captain and halfback.

It proved a masterstroke, with Queensland going on to win the series 2-1.

"I think there was a really difficult decision made last year to leave DCE out," Smith said on Nine's 100% Footy on Monday night.

"With that decision being made, I think they need to look at someone moving forward and I think Sam Walker's in pretty good touch at the moment."

Perhaps the most surprising selection call from Smith, however, was leaving Reece Walsh out of his 19-man team completely, favouring Kalyn Ponga at fullback. 

"The contentious positions were halfback and fullback and I've gone for KP," he said.

"The form that KP's shown in the past fortnight since coming back from that hamstring injury, I think he's gotta be there."

Ponga has played off the bench at Origin level before and many believe both he and Walsh will be included when Slater names his side next Monday for game one.

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Former NSW coach Phil Gould was stunned by Smith's decision to omit the Broncos speedster, just months removed from a grand final and Ashes tour.

"When the grand final was over last year, I couldn't imagine a time where anyone would say Reece Walsh wouldn't be the fullback," he said.

"He produced single-handedly the greatest individual performance I've ever seen in a grand final last year and you know he's got that big-match presence.

"The other bloke [Ponga] is a superstar too. They've got an embarrassment of riches."

Smith has opted to stick solid with a large contingent of players who featured in the successful 2025 campaign, with the only potential debutants being back-rowers Briton Nikora and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, as well as Dolphins utility Max Plath.

The former captain had no room for Gehamat Shibasaki in the centres after he played in last year's decider, while Tom Flegler is back after a lengthy injury layoff.

Cameron Smith's Queensland Maroons team

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Robert Toia 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Cameron Munster 7. Sam Walker 8. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 9. Harry Grant 10. Patrick Carrigan 11. Reuben Cotter 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Trent Loiero 14. Kurt Mann 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Tom Flegler 17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 18. Briton Nikora 19. Max Plath