He hasn’t always been a pin-up boy or the most popular player on the team but few, if any, could deny Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans will end his rugby league career as one of the game’s best and most influential players. Cherry-Evans made his rugby league debut for Manly in round one of the 2011 season. On Saturday, at a packed 4 Pines Park, or Brookie Oval, Queensland’s Origin captain will surpass the legendary Cliff Lyons (309) as Manly’s most-capped player since the eight-time premiers entered to NSW competition in 1947. He will take his tally – all for Manly Sea Eagles, to 310 games.
Manly played their first game in the NSW premiership in April 1947.
Watched by a crowd of 4,200, and led by Max Whitehead, they lost 15-13 to Western Suburbs, despite outscoring the Magpies three tries to one.
Seventy-seven years on almost to the day, the ground’s 18,000 capacity, will be pushed to its extreme limits when Cherry Evans leads the Sea Eagles onto the 4 Pines Park against triple-premiership winners Penrith in a clash that thoroughly deserves the “Blockbuster” tag.
FOG #176 made his Origin debut for Queensland off the bench duty for Game II in 2013 following injuries.
Cherry-Evans didn’t always “fit in” at various times because he was his own man. In a recent interview with NRL.com.au, Cherry-Evans said: “I always had that mentality that I wanted to play a lot of games at the start, but I’d say I’ve probably outdone my expectations as a 12-year-old kid.” “I’m very proud and it is nice to be in the company of some club legends. “My journey hasn’t been plain. I reckon I’ve had a pretty up-and-down ride and learned along the way. “Looking back, I’ve learned some great lessons, some of which I’ve learned the hard way, but I don’t think I’d change a thing because I am content with my career and the person I’ve become. “A lot of people will know me as a rugby league player, but I am very proud of what I’ve done off the field. I have three beautiful daughters and a partner that I care about a lot and who has been there for me through the whole experience.” There’s no doubt Daly Cherry-Evans was a polarizing figure during some tough years with Manly. Recently turned 35, Cherry-Evans shows no signs of slowing down, like a mature wine, he just seems to get better with age. My brother Paul, who was a mad Manly supporter until he passed away late last year, always called Manly’s home ground, Brookie. I still have fond memories of those Sundays when Paul and I would set out with a few other Manly mates along Pittwater Road throwing a rugby league ball or even an empty can from the gutter, pretending to be our favourite players before watching games on the hill. Hopefully, DCE can pull off a very special win Paul, I know you will be cheering loudly for the Sea Eagles mate.
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