MITCHELL JOHNSON: Daly Cherry-Evans State of Origin sacking will have ripple effect on Queensland team

Queensland captain and half-back Daly Cherry-Evans won’t be out there for Origin II next week and while fans can sit back and debate his axing, it’s the impact on his teammates that really matters.

Down 1-0 and thrust into a must-win situation in Perth with new skipper Cameron Mun, it is hardly ideal for the Maroons. I try to imagine being one of the Queensland players in this situation - you want your leader there in the trenches with you.

Cherry-Evans has long led from the front and by example, so coach Billy Slater’s decision is not only one of the biggest selection calls in State of Origin history – and the first time a skipper has been axed mid-series since 1996 – but one that could potentially define his career as a representative coach.

Pressure can indeed be a funny thing. Many would argue that Slater has handled it well in the past, whether as a full-back for Queensland, his country, at club level or as coach winning his first two Origin series.

However, coaching brings a different kind of pressure especially when you’re losing or facing big decisions, as the focus shifts from individual performance to the dynamic of the entire team.

Ultimately, this is a professional sport and brutal decisions are sometimes the nature of the game. And while his teammates may feel gutted for Cherry-Evans, they have to stay focused on the task ahead.

If DCE wasn’t playing his best footy and the team needed him to step up in game one and it was deemed he wasn’t able to, then this is the right decision.

I look at it like in cricket terms. If you have an outstanding past record and have been a great of the game, you get some leeway for sure, but how much should you get?

It seems Slater has made a call based on current form and if that is based on 36-year-old Cherry-Evans not at his best, then I see the change as a positive.

You will never please everyone. It’s interesting to note that many people were calling for this change before and after Queensland’s disappointing loss to NSW in the series opener.

I’m sure those critics are satisfied, but it leaves DCE fans frustrated and annoyed. Does the delayed decision show weakness, or strength that Slater was not afraid to make it with the series still on the line?

It’s fascinating to observe how coaches from various sports approach their roles. In cricket, for instance, the impact of a coach is often felt more during training sessions and breaks, like at lunch or tea, where they can use those moments to relay messages and strategies.

In contrast, rugby league and Aussie rules emphasise real-time communication during games, with coaches actively engaging with players throughout the match.

Ultimately, it comes down to each individual playing their part, but then the captain or leaders doing their job in all moments they face on the field.

The decision to drop Cherry-Evans will be put to the test at Optus Stadium in Perth next week. As with a few other changes on the cards, this could either turn out to be a brilliant selection choice or a misstep.

Regardless of the outcome, Slater must stand by his decisions and accept any criticism that comes with them. And he is certainly getting plenty of feedback already.

Any selection bombshell involving a big name or champion isn’t personal but is made for the team’s benefit based on what the coach or selectors think is best.

The emotional ties to great players can be strong, but ultimately, Slater and the Queensland team are gearing up against a strong NSW squad and maybe this change could ignite a fire in the Maroons.

These bold decisions can serve as a catalyst for a team to rally together and elevate their performance.