Daly Cherry-Evans isn’t the only Queensland superstar who should have his head on the chopping block going into Thursday night’s showdown between Manly and Newcastle.

With Origin II teams named after the weekend, it’s also time for Kalyn Ponga to hit the go button.

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If Ponga can’t at least aim up for his club, how does he keep his spot in the Maroons’ starting team for a do-or-die Origin?

Given Reece Walsh is listed to return from injury when the Broncos take on the Titans on Saturday, there is also a push from some very influential Queenslanders for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to be considered at his preferred fullback position.

Of course, this wouldn’t even be a discussion if Ponga had been playing anywhere close to his best this season.

But you only need to look at Ponga’s numbers to see how much he is struggling.

It’s beyond comprehension that the greatest attacking weapon in the NRL (and the man who also commands the biggest pay packet on a whopping $1.4m-a-season) has not scored a single try in 10 games.

To put it in perspective, Ponga had three tries in 16 games last year, but the season before he had nine in 20 games on his way to winning the Dally M Medal.

On top of that Ponga has only six try assists (he had 24 in 20 games in 2023 when he was recognised as the game’s best player), while he has only four linebreaks (less than half what he averaged the last two seasons), 12 linebreak assists (on par with last year but way down on 2023) and 42 tackle busts (considerably down on average for the last two years).

Throw in his figures in Origin 1 where he finished with a respectable 128m but still never looked a serious threat, with only three tackle busts and no linebreaks or try assists.

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Surely there must be at least a debate about Ponga’s position going forward.

While it would seem unthinkable Slater would completely axe Ponga from the squad, moving him to the bench could solve several issues.

Firstly, keeping Tabuai-Fidow at centre is another massive gamble given the way the Hammer constantly comes off second-best when marking up against Stephen Crichton.

But fullback is the position where he excels, and Hammer has scored eight tries for the Dolphins this year.

There has been some speculation Tabuai-Fidow could be shifted to the wing and Val Holmes into the centres.

But with talk escalating Slater will start Tom Dearden at halfback ahead of DCE, that would open up the utility spot on the bench that Ponga could cover perfectly.

Walsh’s return against the Titans will obviously also play a significant part in the selection discussion given how highly Slater rates the Broncos fullback.

But it would be a huge call rushing Walsh back into a must-win Origin after only one NRL game, while Hammer’s form for the Dolphins against the Dragons on Friday night could be the key to how this plays out.

And after missing last week’s loss to the Dragons, Ponga also returns under a fitness cloud due to a painful ankle injury that limited his preparations going into Origin I.

It’s no secret that the Knights’ attack has been a disaster this season, with by far the least points scored of any team (159).

And while Ponga’s input is obviously a reflection of a bigger issue, there is also no way of sugarcoating the fact his individual form is also a reflection of the team’s struggles.

Don’t forget that when Ponga pulled out of Mal Meninga’s Kangaroo squad at the end of last season he said it was because he wanted to focus on starting this season fresh and making Newcastle his priority.

Yet the Knights go into round 14 third last on the ladder (and on the same competition points as the last placed Titans).

If the Knights are to be any hope of playing finals football this year, they need their marquee man at least playing somewhere close to his best.

So do Queensland if they are any chance of keeping this series alive.

As great a player as Ponga is, what we’ve seen from him so far this season does not warrant automatic Origin selection.

MAN WHO CAN FIX BRONCOS ‘STARING THEM IN THE FACE’

The answer to solving the ongoing crisis at the Brisbane Broncos is staring them in the face.

Ben Ikin this week has showed once again why he should be in charge of the troubled club.

It was madness in the first place that Ikin was basically pushed out the door when Kevvie Walters was coach (after Ikin was initially head-hunted by current chief executive Dave Donaghy to be the club’s head of football).

But just because the Broncos made a bad mistake back then doesn’t mean they can’t fix it now.

And while Ikin is doing a great job running the QRL, the Broncos board should be making him their priority signing for next season ahead of any player.

Because while all the other so-called leaders at the Broncos have been ducking for cover, it took Ikin to come out publicly and give Michael Maguire some long overdue advice that Madge would be mad not to take on board.

Speaking on SEN Radio, Ikin did not make it personal against Maguire, but certainly spoke with a clear conviction when he declared Madge must adapt or “he will be the one they push out the door”.

“They look like a group that is not all on the same page at the moment,” Ikin said.

“Here’s the issue: if ‘Madge’ can’t find people that line up with him, then the problem isn’t the people, the problem is Madge.

“Then he will have to think how he adapts or he will be the one they push out the door.”

It was a statement that had leadership written all over it.

But that’s the thing with Ikin. Every time he speaks, he makes so much sense.

How the Broncos do not see he is exactly the right person they need to fix their mess probably best sums up exactly where the club is at.

IS GUS NOW PLAYING POKER WITH BILLY SLATER?

It was interesting listening to Phil Gould push for Reed Mahoney to be included in the Queensland team this week.

Given all the smoke and mirrors that preceded Lachlan Galvin’s arrival at the Bulldogs, surely we are entitled to question if Gus is now playing poker with Billy Slater.

By trying to push up Mahoney’s market value on the back of the hooker being granted permission to talk with rival clubs.

Of course, Mahoney is a very good footballer but there is a reason the Dogs are allowing him to explore his options given he is not off contract until the end of 2026.

And that’s due to the arrival of Galvin and the rise of Bailey Hayward.

While not many can argue Origin selections with the great Gus, it would still seem a strange choice picking Mahoney and moving Harry Grant back to the bench, because it would leave Queensland without an interchange option in the backs.

At least when Queensland go with the Grant and Ben Hunt combination, Hunt can play in the halves.

WALKER’S RETURN KEY TO SOUTHS UNLOCKING LATRELL

In what’s shaping up as another great round of NRL action, Sunday’s clash between the Raiders and Rabbitohs should be a beauty.

On the same day the Raiders celebrate Josh Papali’i overtaking Jason Croker’s club record 318 games, they will be in for another tough fight with the Rabbitohs boosted by the return of Cody Walker and former Raider Jack Wighton.

And as solid as the Rabbitohs’ young halves Jamie Humphreys and Jayden Sullivan were against the Warriors last week, the return of Walker is the key to getting more out of Latrell Mitchell.

In 10 touches last week Mitchell scored a try and set up two more.

But Walker’s ability to bring Latrell into the game has the potential to take Souths to the next level as the charge to the finals begins.

A big game from Keaon Koloamatangi against the gun Raiders pack could also open the door for him to jump into the NSW squad on the back of Mitch Barnett’s unfortunate season-ending knee injury.

As for the Raiders, this is their last game before their first bye and they will be extra motivated not to let big Pappa down on his big day.