Panthers legend: I feel for Dylan Edwards following non-selection

Greg Alexander has expressed his sympathies for Penrith’s Dylan Edwards after the Penrith fullback was dropped from the NSW Blues.

Throughout the season, the battle between Edwards and Sydney’s James Tedesco for the NSW No. 1 jersey has been hotly contested, with the two ranking 1st and 2nd for metres run in the competition.

And while Edwards had been the incumbent throughout the last two years, NSW coach Laurie Daley has decided to go with Tedesco, admitting it was a tough decision.

Speaking on SEN’s Kick-Off, Alexander admitted he felt for Edwards, given the 30-year-old improved his form from last year.  

“I feel for Dylan,” he explained.

“Dylan's in better form this year than he was last year.

“I thought Dylan, he carried a couple of injuries last year, and I thought his form tapered last year, and I thought he's been in brilliant form (in 2026).

“You can't deny that Teddy (James Tedesco) has been in brilliant form either.

“I don't think Laurie (Daley) could make the wrong decision.

 “If Dylan Edwards was there, many would be saying he deserved his spot.

 “Now that Teddy's been picked, there'll be plenty that say, Teddy's form is irresistible.

“So, I do feel for Dylan, but you know, how can you knock the selection of James Tedesco going on what he's done this year.”

Laurie Daley and Billy Slater have named their squads for this year’s State of Origin series opener with the new eligibility rules having plenty of influence.

After allowing Tier One Nation representatives (England and New Zealand) who previously met the existing criteria to be selected in February, this has resulted in NSW naming three players (Addin Fonua-Blake, Casey McLean, and Victor Radley) who would have been previously ineligible.

While Queensland named the one in Cronulla’s Briton Nikora.

Those additions for NSW are just three of the seven players named who have not previously received a Blues jersey.

Despite murmurs of Kalyn Ponga being switched into the No. 7 role following Tom Dearden’s syndesmosis injury, it appears Sam Walker will make his debut with the Newcastle fullback returning to the No. 1 jersey.  

This sees Reece Walsh miss out on selection.

Walker is one of four players to be handed a debut by Slater alongside Jojo Fifita, Max Plath and Nikora.

“It is difficult but I think we’ve all seen what Kalyn’s done for Queensland in his form (since returning from injury),” Slater said of leaving Walsh out.

“He’s in a real sweet spot in life.

“We know what he’s (Walsh) capable of. He’s got a really good understanding of the things he focuses on when he plays his best football.

“I’ve got a great relationship with Reece. I’ve got a lot of time for him. I love the way he plays his footy. He’s getting there."

Following Latrell Mitchell’s late withdrawal from Game I for NSW, Brisbane’s Kotoni Staggs has received a call-up to the Blues.

There has also been plenty of noise following the non-selection of Warriors' forward Jackson Ford despite currently sitting in second in the Dally M Medal.

State of Origin gets underway on May 27 at Accor Stadium, with SEN having live coverage of the series across our radio network on the SEN app.

See the teams below.

NSW SQUAD FOR GAME I

1. James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
2. Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers)
3. Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
4. Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)
5. Tolutau Koula (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
6. Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
8. Addin Fonua-Blake (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
9. Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters)
10. Mitchell Barnett (Warriors)
11. Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
12. Haumole Olakau'atu (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
13. Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers)
14. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
15. Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
16. Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)
17. Blayke Brailey (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
18. Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders)
19. Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers)
20. Dylan Lucas (Newcastle Knights)

QUEENSLAND SQUAD FOR GAME I

1. Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)
2. Selwyn Cobbo (Dolphins)
3. Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters)
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)
5. Jojo Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)
6. Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)
7. Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters)
8. Thomas Flegler (Dolphins)
9. Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)
10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans)
11. Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)
12. Kurt Capewell (Warriors)
13. Max Plath (Dolphins)
14. Briton Nikora (Cronulla Sutherland Sharks)
15. Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)
16. Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)
17. Trent Loiero (Melbourne Storm)
18. Ezra Mam (Brisbane Broncos)
19. Gehamat Shibasaki (Brisbane Broncos)
20. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins)