Multiple outlets report that Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater makes several notable choices for Game One, prompting discussion over whether his selections should be reconsidered—particularly regarding Walsh. The coverage frames the debate as a set of winners and losers resulting from Slater’s decisions, rather than a single controversy. Across the articles, the common theme is that Slater’s selection of players for the starting side and/or key roles is seen by some as unexpected, while others argue it aligns with specific team needs. All three reports focus on assessing who benefits from Slater’s approach and who may be disadvantaged by the selections, with attention on how Walsh’s situation factors into the conversation. The outlets do not present a single unified opinion on whether Slater should change course; instead, they outline competing perspectives on what the coaching logic could be and the impact of those calls on team balance, match-ups, and player opportunities. Overall, the reporting emphasizes that the squad decisions are already reshaping expectations for Game One and are likely to remain a point of public scrutiny.