Walker v Dearden: How the new ‘Alfie’ can give Slater Origin headache

More is at stake for Sam Walker on Wednesday night than the chance to keep the Maroons alive in the State of Origin series.

There is an opportunity to ensure the reigning Wally Lewis Medal winner does not take back his jumper.

Despite Queensland suffering a 22-20 defeat at the death in game one, as New South Wales stormed home after Kalyn Ponga was sent off, Walker played a role worthy of contending for man of the match honours on debut.

The Roosters halfback – lauded by Darren Lockyer and Wayne Bennett as the next Allan “Alfie” Langer – produced two try assists for Robert Toia and Tom Flegler to give his state the early ascendancy. His kicking game then built the pressure that led to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow diving onto a Cameron Munster grubber to score.

Queensland coach Billy Slater expects Walker to find another gear now 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.”

But even if Walker can spearhead a Maroons comeback in Melbourne and force a Suncorp Stadium decider, his prospect of seeing out the campaign will remain under a cloud.

Incumbent halfback Tom Dearden, last year’s player of the series, was due to make his return against the Warriors on Sunday from a syndesmosis injury suffered in round 10, but has not been named to take the field, with club teammate and Maroons winger Murray Taulagi hinting at some 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 man who produced 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 succumbing to his setback, he had been in electric form – carrying on from a career-best 2025 campaign in which he garnered hi