Daly Cherry-Evans gets one hell of an unlikely State of Origin promotion | Larissa O'Connor

28 May 2019 12:10
The decision to hand the Queensland captaincy to the divisive Manly halfback is a bold statement from the MaroonsQueensland has produced a miraculous production line of natural-born leaders. The DNA of a Maroons captain might as well have been patented: huge heart, unapologetic passion, brute strength and indisputable craftsmanship in the art of playing football. Glorified immortals Arthur Beetson OAM and Wally Lewis, followed by shrewd orchestrators the likes of Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith, started their Origin journey early. Once selected, these 30-plus Origin capped cult heroes were there to stay.Like all good fairy tales, it was inevitable that Queensland would eventually face a changing of the guard. For successive seasons, it seemed a matter of how many would bow out, and when. The Maroons administration, who had for 12 years ridden a victory tidal wave, suddenly found itself in unchartered waters in 2018. The accolades went south, the wheels of fortune came to an abrupt halt, and the best Queensland could do was to score a consolation victory in a final, dead rubber. Related: Queensland name three State of Origin debutants for Game I Continue readingread full article

Source: TheGuardian