Daly Cherry-Evans believes he could have done the job at five-eighth for Queensland but he’s ready to aim for the 2018 campaign after clearing the air with coach Kevin Walters.
Walters cited the Manly halfback’s relative unsuitability to the No.6 role – and rejected any suggestion of peer animosity – when explaining to reporters why Cherry-Evans was bypassed as the Maroons look to replace injured great Johnathan Thurston in next week’s series decider.
Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt and Melbourne utility Cameron Munster were drafted into the Queensland squad ahead of Cherry-Evans, despite the Sea Eagles captain discovering some of the best form of his career.
Either Munster or Michael Morgan is expected to play five-eighth, with the other replacing injured Darius Boyd at centre and Hunt taking over Morgan’s bench utility role.
Asked on Tuesday whether he felt he could have handled playing five-eighth, Cherry-Evans said: “Yeah, look I expressed to Kevvie over the phone that, while I didn’t agree with his decision, I definitely understood how hard it would have been for him.
“I feel as though I’m ready to get back into that arena. I’m going to try my hardest to get back in there next year.”
Cherry-Evans declined to answer questions about whether he had rubbed teammates the wrong way during his six Origin appearances between 2013-15.
Walters described that suggestion as “hogwash” and said Cherry-Evans was in line to replace Maroons halfback Cooper Cronk should he step down from representative football next year.
Smith said it was simply a matter of Cherry-Evans not fitting into the requirements of the side for next week’s match.
“No one has an issue with Daly. Everyone thinks he is a great player but unfortunately he wasn’t the right fit for this team,” said Walters.
nopuritan
Guest
cheers Bugo! I may not be Charlie Chaplin, but i'm not the Great Dictator either ;)
Bugo
Guest
Daly is a halfback. Quensland have a halfback. Nothing more to the story.
Bugo
Guest
A little over the top, but as long as you're enjoying that little world you live in, have fun.
Chui
Guest
I guess he didn't read any
nopuritan
Guest
Con, far be it from me to question the comments of a "Guru" but... is humour banned on The Roar?
kk
Roar Pro
Jumper #3
south coast bandit
Guest
hehe Will Smith.
spruce moose
Guest
Jesus wept
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Get off the meth!
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Hi Roar Editor / Moderator, please implement a word limit on comments
MrJSquishy
Roar Pro
Ditto...
Charlie
Guest
Aaaahhhhh...... O...K,,!?!?
nopuritan
Guest
I too could have done the job for Queensland but.... I’m sorry, I don’t want to be a footballer anymore. That’s no longer my business. I don’t want to bash or damage anyone. I should like to help Queensland - if possible - to steer them to more State of Origin glory. We all want to help one another. Queensland Rugby League teams are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness - not by New South Wales’ misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another - That's what NSW are for. In Queensland there is room for everyone - even Victorians. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life up here is free and beautiful, but the State of Origin series is on the line. Laurie Daley has poisoned men’s souls, He has barricaded Queensland with hate, has tried to force us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, agility and toughness but we must not go into our shells. The NRL that gives abundance has left us in want. This knowledge has made us cynical. Our strategy in Game 3 must be hard and unkind. New South Wales think too much and feel too little. More than humanity we need aggression. More than cleverness we need hard men. Without these qualities, we might as well be wearing blue…. The instant replay and the video bunker have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in referees - cries out for fast play the balls- for both teams. Even now these words are reaching millions throughout Queensland - millions of despairing men, women, and little children - victims of a Sydney system that makes out that New South Wales is the home of Rugby League. To all Queenslanders who can hear me, I say - do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed - the bitterness of New South Welshmen who fear the way of Queensland's progress. The hate of NSW will pass, and Gus Gould shall one day shut up, and the power they took from the people of Queensland will return to the people of Queensland. And so long as Queensland continue winning State of Origin, liberty will never perish ….. Queenslanders! Don’t give into brutes - New South Wales players who despise you - try to enslave you - who would regiment your lives - tell you what to do - what to think and what to feel! Referees who penalise you - sinbin you - treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don’t give yourselves to these unnatural men - NSW men with NSW minds and NSW hearts! You are not New South Welshmen! You are not sooks! You are men! You have the love of Queensland in your hearts! You don’t hate! Only the unloved hate - the unloved and the unnatural ones from south of the border! Queenslanders! Don’t fight for slavery! Fight for victory! In the 17th Chapter of St Luke it is written: “the Kingdom of God is within man” - not one man but a group of 17 men! In you! You, the Queensland team have the power - the power to destroy New South Wales. The power to create happiness in Queensland! You, this team of champions, this champion team, have the power to make every Queenslander's life free and beautiful, to really rub it into those blue bastards! Then - in the name of Rugby League - let us use that power - let this team unite. Let us fight for a new NRL - a decent NRL that will give men a chance to work - that will give youth a future and old age a security. By the promise of these things, the NRL have risen to power. But they lie! They do not fulfil that promise. They never will! New South Wales look after themselves while they try to enslave Queenslanders! Now let us fight to fulfil that promise we make here! Let us fight to free Queensland - to do away with New South Wales forever - to do away with Laurie Daley, with Mitchell Pearce and Jarryd Hayne. Let us fight for a Queensland victory, a Queensland where Rugby League will lead to all men’s happiness. Queenslanders! in the name of Rugby League, let's get out there and smash 'em!
Hoy
Roar Guru
I am not sold on Hunt. I would have thought DCE is as close to Thurston in style as there is, particularly with his form at the moment. I just can't see where Hunt fits in off the bench? A running forward? Do they shift Morgan to a running forward role? Will Smith have the first rest of his Origin career? I just don't see how Hunt fits in.