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Boos resonated around Suncorp Stadium for Daly Cherry-Evans but Brisbane gave their fans plenty to cheer about in a record equalling 44-10 NRL win over Manly on Friday night.
Twenty-seven years after piling on the same scoreline against Manly in their very first outing as the Broncos, Brisbane have capped an eventful week for Cherry-Evans with the eight tries to two thumping.
Cherry-Evans may have been hoping his presence would go unnoticed by critics of his controversial decision to renege on his four-year Gold Coast contract when he ran out wearing the unfamiliar No.19 jersey for Manly.
>>Read how the game unfolded in our live blog.
But there was nowhere to hide for the Manly halfback, who was jeered when he touched the ball by vocal cynics in the 28,691-strong crowd.
Cherry-Evans polarised the public when he turned hid back on the Titans this week and remained at Manly on a $10 million `lifetime’ contract.
However, the Maroons Origin utility did not have much support at Suncorp Stadium as Queensland fans turned on one of their own.
It didn’t seem to faze Cherry-Evans who shook off the shoulder complaint that kept him out of Origin I, to receive a last minute clearance for Manly on Friday night.
He appeared to be in everything early as he tried to repel a rampant Broncos before launching a Manly counter-attack.
Trailing 20-0, quick hands from Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran set up Manly’s opening try through Peta Hiku in the 37th minute.
And it was game on when Cherry-Evans stepped three defenders and brilliantly kicked ahead for Brett Stewart to make it 20-10 in the 44th.
But there was no denying Brisbane.
Hulking winger Daniel Vidot capped his try-scoring double when he crossed in the 56th, as did pivot Anthony Milford in the 59th.
Outstanding centre Jack Reed was rewarded with a 66th minute try while winger Jordan Kahu completed the carnage when he crashed over two minutes from time.
The damage was done after Brisbane led 20-6 at halftime, piling on four tries before Manly could get on the board.
Brisbane have now won eight of their last nine home games.
The Sea Eagles are in danger of missing out on the top eight for the first time since 2004.
In more bad news for Manly, back-rower Justin Horo was on report for an alleged 39th minute crusher tackle on Brisbane fullback Darius Boyd.
And Jamie Lyon limped off in the 55th minute with a suspected hamstring complaint.
Manly coach Geoff Toovey thought the crowd reaction was “quite tame”.
“I think it might be a bit different when we play on the Gold Coast though,” said Toovey of their round 18 game.
“He (DCE) seems settled now. I thought he played a decent game and will only get better.”
Wayne Bennett was not surprised by the boos.
“He’s made headlines the last month and it ramped up again this week – he got the reaction you expected,” Bennett said.
“But it’s a tough time in his life. It’s not what you would want as a footballer.”
Asked how they won the match, Bennett said: “with a lot of luck.
“We scored fair tries but another night the ball would have bounced the other way – we are not getting carried away.”
Lyon is expected to miss “at least” a couple of weeks with a suspected grade two hamstring tear.
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