Daly Cherry-Evans reckons he’s playing better now than when he last played for Queensland, and it showed as he steered Manly into the NRL top four on Sunday with a 35-18 flogging of Cronulla.
Seemingly forgotten in the discussion to replace Johnathan Thurston for next month’s State of Origin decider, Cherry-Evans sent a reminder to selectors with three try assists and a field goal against the defending premiers.
The Sharks endured a horror afternoon, which included hooker Jayden Brailey being rushed to hospital after breaking his jaw in a second-half collision.
But it was the man who last played for Queensland in 2015 that orchestrated the demolition to lift Manly to their fourth straight win.
“With time comes experience, so I’d like to think I’m a better player,” Cherry-Evans said.
“Only time will tell if I’m ready for Origin again.
“I understand the opportunity that has arisen in that side. The only thing I can do is just show through the Manly side that I’ll put my hand up.”
Cherry-Evans did exactly that at Southern Cross Group Stadium, regularly directing traffic at NSW five-eighth James Maloney, who missed five tackles.
It was evident when he put second-rower Curtis Sironen in to score in the second set of the match after the Sharks playmaker rushed out of the line.
He then repeated the dose with an inside flick ball for Sironen to score his second, although the second-rower later left the field with a likely pectoral or shoulder injury.
Cherry-Evans also had his third assist in the second half with a spiralling two-man cut-out pass for winger Matthew Wright to score and put the match beyond doubt.
Manly coach Trent Barrett suggested the playmaker should form a bigger part in the Queensland No.6 selection discussion, with Michael Morgan and Cameron Munster the front runners.
“I wouldn’t swap him for anyone,” Barrett said.
“He’s our side. He’s our leader. He came up with a couple of plays tonight… and he’s doing it every week.
“The opportunities will come for him and he won’t disappoint.”
His only only blemish came when he threw an intercept ball for Cronulla’s Luke Lewis late in the first half, who ran 80 metres to score and threaten a typical Sharks comeback.
But after conceding 18 points in the first 25 minutes, it was a bridge too far for the Sharks, who slipped to fifth after their worst loss of the year.
“The first 20 minutes was awful,” coach Shane Flanagan said.
“It was inexcusable.”
NSW Origin prop Andrew Fifta was restricted to just 75 metres for Cronulla, his worst output of the year by far.
He was also outplayed by the Manly pack, which included a 224-metre effort from Martin Taupau.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Ben Hunt coming Straight out of reserve grade... I can see the headlines in the lead up already. From what I saw of DCE yesterday...there's only really two choices...Munster to complete the storm spine or Cherry. That cut out pass for the wright try was sublime yesterday EJ, are you still smiling?
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Whoever QLD pick is a significant step down from JT and I think they'll struggle. I'm hearing Ben Hunt will get the gig as they want to keep Morgan on the bench. Laurie Daley must be helping them select the side
Wild Eagle
Guest
DCE has had a rough few years with a rebuilding roster , a divided roster and injury concerns. He now manages a game really well and throws perfectly timed passes when a try is on. I suspect he will run more in the finals series and be even more dangerous. I rated him Manly's best ever half a few years back and this year that's how he looks this year. The critics of Barrett were always guilty of not waiting for the evidence.
Tom G
Guest
It's the old anti Manly narrative... 'lucky', 'cheated', 'refs gave them the game', 'other team weren't any good'. Couldn't just be that they are performing well, play for each other and look to be well coached. I think the Sea Eagles are on the rise.. maybe no comp this year but one not far away
madmax
Guest
They had the run of play because they pressured the Sharks & outplayed them! Sharks won the penalty count 9 - 3 so no excuses! Maybe now Manly will get the accolades they deserve! FYI Manly bombed quite a few try scoring opportunities so the score could have been worse!
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
yep. I bagged the coach pretty soundly at the start of the season. I was wrong. By a mile. He has them punching well above their weight division.
madmax
Guest
You're kidding mate! His rapport with team mates has never been better & it's showing with the results.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
He has great vision HY. Those two cut-out passes to put on two tries were great.
Tom
Guest
There is also the problem that they seem to hold his previous appearances against him, where he came off the bench as a back rower (where he has never played at club level) in one game, and the others where he subbed in for Cronk. He probably doesn't complement a 5/8 like Thurston particularly well, notice how well he played with Foran and Green this year, more direct 5/8's and not in the style of Thurston.
Tom
Guest
I think it is instructive to note that Foran was let go and not DCE - he was a part of the Stewart brothers/Watmough/Matai clique that I suspect the club wanted to move away from. One reporter commented that DCE is almost universally liked amongst journalists because he is well spoken, unfailingly polite, and gives good copy and not just the usual cliche ridden nonsense. In other words, he is a decent, well-adjusted bloke which probably didn't help him fit in with some of his former team mates.
Sava
Guest
Ker Pow Ker Pow, Went through and How,the big tough Cronulla forwards looked ordinary,Gallen doing his usual niggle in every tackle he made and whinging at every decision against them by the Ref,Flop Flop Fiffita coming in third and floping on every tackled Manly player. Praise for Luke Lewis and he can scoot. Keep it up Manly,Top game. Stop the flop Sava
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes, Apisai Koroisau had a blinder, he was everywhere and made some amazing tackles and takes on the ball. And as I said, Manly had all the ball and the run of the plays. Cronulla were disorganised and couldn't take the pressure that Manly continually put on them, dropping crucial balls and giving posetion away continually and Apisai Koroisau was all apart of that, with his tackles.
kk
Roar Pro
steveng, did you notice the massive contribution of SS reject Apisai Koroisau.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Lets not jump to any rash conclusions, as yet!!! Manly had all the run of the game and repeated sets. Cronulla were all over the place. Manly played well, but Cronulla bombed allot of plays, dropped the ball and gave this game to the Sea Eagles on a plate. This won't happen again.
terrence
Guest
You need to watch closer, this Manly team is his and the Turbos...
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I'm perfectly happy to see Cherry run out for Manly each weekend and concentrate on the main game - the premiership.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
DCE problem is he doesn't play for the Broncos or Cowboys, so most queenslanders never see him on FTA TV. Last Sundays game may have got him some fans up north of the wall.
Tony
Guest
Very true in the past but I don't know if I'm seeing it this year.
Tony Curulli
Guest
I don't know about DCE for origin but I would take Api over Peats in a heartbeat. What a game he had, both in attack and defence Even though he took a couple of poor 5th tackle options, he more than made up for them with crunching hits on much bigger men that turned over possession.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
There is something about DCE, he is playing well but never appears to have a great rapport with all his team mates.