As Daly Cherry-Evans gets set to renew his club rivalry with Cooper Cronk, he’s already dreaming of inheriting his Queensland Origin No.7 jersey.
Manly halfback Cherry-Evans’ head-to-head battle with Cronk shapes as a mouth-watering subplot to Saturday’s trial against the Sydney Roosters at Gosford on the NSW central coast.
Not only will Cronk be turning out for his side for the first time, Cherry-Evans will have a chance out-point the man he hopes to succeed as the Maroons and Kangaroos playmaker.
While a ball has yet to be kicked in anger this NRL season, and Origin is still four months away, Cherry-Evans is making his representative ambitions known after being controversially overlooked in 2017.
“I want to play for Queensland again,” Cherry-Evans said.
“Hopefully I can improve on my season last year, I felt like last year was a great step towards trying to gain a spot in that side.
“If I can improve again on last season, I’m definitely putting myself in contention.
“I’m still super ambitious to get back there.”
With Cronk and Johnathan Thurston both retiring from representative football, there’s a vacuum in the Maroons’ halves – one which Cherry-Evans wants to fill.
The Sea Eagles 2011 premiership winner was snubbed by coach Kevin Walters for last year’s series decider, instead picking Melbourne’s Cameron Munster at five-eighth and Ben Hunt to fill the bench utility spot.
Munster and North Queensland’s Michael Morgan seem to have the inside running for the 2018 series, however Cherry-Evans isn’t giving up without a fight.
Asked if he revelled in facing off against Cronk, Cherry-Evans said: “I definitely indulge in those thoughts during the season. But not for a trial.”
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Munster should take over the #14 from Morgan IMO. What a great utility he makes. DCE & Morgan in the halves at this stage, but let's not forget Corey Norman, and to a lesser extent Milford and Ash Taylor
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Or he could pull out the one he wore previously
Greg Ambrose
Guest
I seem to recall the great Darren Lockyer being under a lot of pressure to retain his jumper before the start of QLD's golden run. Then a wayward dummy half pass changed everything. A lot can change pretty quickly. A lot of punters seem to think not much changes year to year but some years a lot changes and this could be the year. I'd sooner they don't pick DCE if it's true his team mates aren't so keen as it can become a self fulfilling prophecy. At the Eagles he has the support of those around him and it shows.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Morgan and DCE I think should be the QLD halves this year but DCE will really have to play a heck of a half season as both Milf and Munster were picked ahead of him last year. I truly think he is capable. I get that he was given a chance and didn't perform but I think he is a class player and class always come through in the end. Could be like Hodges who had a horror start to his Origin career but became one of the greats.
jimmmy
Guest
If his form is good , I would pair him with Morgs or Munster and have the other one on the bench. Morgs and Munster is not a combination I like. They are too similar. Milford is not Origin standard, Hunt is an able back up for injuries etc. but I really doubt he is top class.. In two years I reckon it will be Croft. He has the gift.
Peter Phelps
Guest
The problem that Cherry has is that he has been given an Orign chance and been found wanting. He will have to overcome that reputation if he is win his place back. With a Manly outfit around him that is likely to struggle at times, I am not sure he will be convincing enough. I suspect Morgan may well get a go for round one, much will hinge on how that goes.
KenW
Guest
But what a neck
Albo
Guest
Plus he has a bigger problem for QLD selectors, he doesn't drink !
Big Daddy
Guest
The closest he will get to the Qld no 7 Jersey is If he ducks down to Peter Wynn s and buys one.
Emcie
Roar Guru
It's way to early for this. Let's actually get to see how players go before we start picking teams
Fraser
Guest
I think DCE is competing against Ben Hunt for the utility spot. Cherry did a great job doing that in the past for QLD, though he's probably not as versatile as Hunt. The problem with DCE as a starting playmaker is that QLD need to change their game to suit him, rather than him slotting straight into QLD's existing flat, expansive and fast style of footy.
Nat
Roar Guru
Barring injury, I'm not sure. His best chance was G3 last year and they went with Munster/Hunt as well as Morgan/Milford from G1. If his form is irresistible - maybe.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I have him in the lead to get the 7 jersey By a neck...
Peter Phelps
Guest
You don't get voted "out" you get voted "in". They weren't against cherry just in favour of someone else.
BA Sports
Guest
Walters selects by Committee and that Committee involves key players. Two of his committee are gone now, so he has to be a chance. I guess we find out if the remaining committee members were the ones who were voting him out.