Slater’s Maroons glass is half-full

MAROONS coach Billy Slater will get a glimpse of Queensland’s next generation of playmakers when resurrected Cowboys pivot Tom Dearden and Roosters sensation Sam Walker clash tonight.

Dearden and Walker will face off at Queensland Country Bank Stadium but it may not be long before they play alongside each other in league’s toughest arena.

Former schoolboys stars in Queensland, Dearden and Walker grew up playing against each other and there is plenty on the line for their respective clubs as the Cowboys look to back up last week’s Broncos ambush and the Roosters hunt for consistency.

Dearden, 21, has rebuilt his career after having his development butchered by the Broncos and said he couldn’t wait to rekindle his rivalry with Walker, 19.

“He is an awesome player,” Dearden said. “He is a year younger than me so I played against him a fair bit in the juniors.”

With Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans, 33, nearing the end of his career, Slater is set to usher in Queensland’s next Origin No.7.

Five-eighth Cameron Munster, 27, still has a few years left in him, but the time will soon arrive for Queensland to welcome a new halves pairing.

The Maroons are blessed with some elite playmaking talent coming through and few are more exciting than Dearden and Walker.