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.”
Tom G
Roar Rookie
They definitely butchered the Canberra game but the Newcastle game was a refereeing farce, it was stolen! Totally agree on Parker being too slow on the wing. The availability of previously injured forwards is going to be a bit of a dilemma in the next few weeks. Fainu could also be back soon, courts permitting
Jockstar
Guest
Manly to reach the GF. Got power and speed to burn. May not be able to beat Penrith depending on Clearys injuries.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Manly's key players over the last few years in rough order have been Turbo , Jake , DCE , AFB, Api and Fainu. Winning was largely down to these players with the others filling in the gaps on the field. The arrival of Schuster , the Big O and others as well as Foran coming home and some pace out wide means on any given day we have a decent spread of potential match winners. Suli has clearly put a lot of work in to his fitness and has given the cake shop a wide berth and could well join the match winner club if he reaches his potential. The signs are promising. Watching Schuster develop will be interesting as he seems to investigate more options than just about any player I've seen.
Nambawan
Roar Rookie
Such a shame that Manly butchered those recent games against Canberra and Newcastle. Undoubtedly there is a very good team potentially available to Hasler and he will have some interesting selection decisions coming up. One of those will be where to play both Parker and Suli. Suli has the superior attack potential whilst Parker's defence in the centers is superb. Just hope Parker is never again selected on the wing - where two tries were run in against him last night. 2nd Row will be another conundrum. Olakoa'atu is very secure, but where to place Jake, Lawton, Schuster and Sironen? Also Garrick is not a FB but is an adequate winger and now a superb goal kicker.