Manly believe Daly Cherry-Evans’ week off will pay off in the long run with coach Des Hasler adopting a health-first mantra ahead of the NRL’s finals.
Cherry-Evans made the late call to sit out Friday night’s win over St George Illawarra, which kept alive the Sea Eagles’ faint top-four hopes.
It came just two days after the Queensland captain led the Maroons to a win in Game 3, following a taxing series for the 32-year-old after going down 2-0.
Hasler on Friday night hailed Cherry-Evans’ ability to compartmentalise, while halves partner Kieran Foran was adamant he would now return fresh against the Wests Tigers.
“He’s been in and out of camps for the past six weeks and he has backed up for us time and time again,” Foran said.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
“And that third Origin was a real nail-biter and a lot of those guys would have pulled up extremely sore for us.
“It’s great he is able to freshen up and hit the ground running next week.”
Crucially Friday’s win came without all of their big three, with both of Jake (hip) and Tom Trbojevic (rested) missing.
But the form and health of Cherry-Evans and fullback Tom Trbojevic will be vital come finals.
Hasler remarked on Friday that it will be teams who get to the finals “healthy” and in “good shape” that will be threats, more so than those who adapt to bubble life.
In Cherry-Evans and Trbojevic Manly have two of the most dangerous attacking players in the competition.
They should also get prop Josh Aloiai back in the next month, as well as second-rower Curtis Sironen.
But until then, Foran claims the team have found the belief to win without some of their biggest stars.
“For our group to get a game like that (over the Dragons) with the blokes we had on the sideline is pretty impressive,” he said.
“We all knew once Daly got ruled out that everyone had to play an extra role. But everyone shoulders that.
“This side is so unique because everyone brings something different.”
© AAP
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