Not so long ago, the polarising playmaker was booed by Suncorp Stadium crowds as Manly skipper after enduring speculation he'd fallen out with the Maroons hierarchy.

No wonder Cherry-Evans looked stunned on Monday night that he had been asked to take over the Maroons reins from retired great Greg Inglis and welcomed back into the Origin fold as Queensland's 15th skipper.

Cherry-Evans said he was still pinching himself after holding out the challenge from Maroons contenders Matt Gillett and Cameron Munster to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Arthur Beetson, Wally Lewis and Cameron Smith as Queensland captain.

"It's such a proud moment," said the 30-year-old, who has played seven Origins since his 2013 debut.

"Growing up as a kid you just want to play a game. To be a captain for this great state is humbling.

"It is one I will never forget. I can't wait to lead the boys out."

Cherry-Evans admitted he did not know how he would get back into the Maroons side after being dropped in 2015.

But he took the first step toward his stunning Origin turnaround when he ended a three year Maroons exile and was picked for last year's game three, inspiring an 18-12 triumph at Brisbane.

Yet the halfback reckoned the tough times experienced as an Origin outcast would only make him a better Maroons captain.

"You are not the person that you are without experiencing good and bad," he said.

"A day I will never forget was when I was called in 2015 and told I wouldn't be selected for game three but that would not have put me in this position today, to be where I am right now.

"I feel as though I have a lot behind me that has prepared me for this moment to lead the boys."

Cherry-Evans also dismissed any doubts over his fitness ahead of the series opener, saying he was "100 per cent" despite undergoing ankle surgery just five weeks ago.

Cherry-Evans has not played an NRL game for the Sea Eagles for the last month but said nothing would stop him from leading the Maroons in Origin I.

"I wouldn't be in this position if I didn't think I was 100 per cent right," he said.

"There has been a lot of hard (recovery) work done but I have put myself in the position to play next Wednesday night.

"The Queensland side is such a prestigious one. I understood how hard it would be to get back in here."

Australian Associated Press