A player who has been on the tip of every rugby league fan’s tongue of late is Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.
When Cherry-Evans started his first grade career in 2011, many experts and alike gave him a wrap, stating he was the next world-class halfback.
And as time has shown, DCE has become just that after only his third year in the NRL.
But with Dally M Player of the Year Cooper Cronk seemingly standing in his way in representative footy, the question has been raised as to which player should be the starting half for both Queensland and Australia.
On one hand you have Cronk, a four-time Dally M halfback of the year and the current Player of the Year, with over 230 first grade games and 12 Origins under his belt.
Largely regarded as having the best kicking game in the world, Cronk has been an incredibly instrumental factor in the Melbourne Storm’s dominance over the last decade.
On the other hand, you have arguably the brightest player and halfback to come into the NRL since Andrew ‘Joey’ Johns.
Winning both the Clive Churchill Medal (in a losing team by the way) as well as the RLIF Halfback of the Year, to say DCE’s future is looking promising is the understatement of the year.
Tim Sheens gave Cherry-Evans two chances in this recent World Cup in the starting half position, even putting him into the unfamiliar position of five-eighth.
But, as we all saw, the young man from Redcliffe, Queensland was more than ready for the challenge.
Many will argue Cronk’s relationship with Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston is too strong to drop him back to the bench – as the old saying goes, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.
But, as it may turn out, the future of a young halfback may be on the line.
At the age of 24, DCE is at the prime stage to either make himself known as one of the best halfbacks in the world, or just an above average one.
2014 may be the time for when Queensland coach Mal Meninga makes the all important call which shapes DCE’s future.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Australians are among the sportiest people on Earth. Much as we like to play code wars with each other, the fact that we can…
Over the years 47 players have represented Australia in rugby league and union - so who is the best of the dual code internationals?
Proposed rule changes to Origin eligibility might be that rarest of things: a solution that works for everyone.
The shortlist for the International Rugby League (IRL) Golden Boot Award has been announced, with a host of hard-runners listed for the top prizes.…
After Australia's 30-nil thumping in the Pacific Championship final, there could be a vastly different Kangaroos team in the next international competition.
A famous day for New Zealand as the Kiwis thrash Australia to take the Pacific Championships title.
