Cherry-Evans makes Origin statement in big Manly win
Scott Bailey |
Daly Cherry-Evans says he would still be grateful if his Queensland State of Origin career ended tomorrow, after making a statement in Manly’s 34-6 win over Brisbane.
Three days after Queensland’s series-opening loss prompted questions over Cherry-Evans’ position, the Maroons captain answered his critics at Brookvale.
The Manly No.7 had a hand in all four of the Sea Eagles’ first-half tries, in what was close to his best game in months.
Lehi Hopoate was also superb filling in for Tom Trbojevic at fullback, while Haumole Olakau’atu scored a double to send Manly back into the top eight.
The result consigned Brisbane to their sixth loss in seven games, with the Broncos in freefall and out of a finals-finishing position for the first time this year.
But the story was Cherry-Evans, who has been subject to calls from the likes of Andrew Johns for him to be axed from Queensland’s side in recent days.
The 36-year-old was only cleared to play for Manly on Saturday morning, before being diplomatic on his Origin future after the match.
“At the end of the day I have to try and keep it really simple. I play footy for a living. I am so grateful for the opportunity,” Cherry-Evans said.
“If it ended, I played 26 Origin games. I am very grateful for that. But I would love to be back there again.
“I just love playing footy for this club and this team. We haven’t found our best footy consistently yet. Tonight is a reminder that it’s there.”
Cherry-Evans would not enter into debate about whether Saturday night’s performance helped his cause to add to his 26 Origins in Perth on June 18.
But it certainly can’t have hurt, in what was one of his best performances since announcing in March he was leaving Manly at year’s end.
The half kicked in the lead-up to three tries, routinely booted Manly out of trouble, and had the Sea Eagles’ right edge back playing with depth again.
And it all came within hours of Tom Dearden starring for North Queensland, with the Cowboys No.7 considered the other option for the Maroons.
Cherry-Evans laid on Manly’s first try when he grubbered for Clayton Faulalo, and Jesse Arthars failed to dive on the loose ball in the in-goal.
Faulalo’s second try came when Cherry-Evans sent the ball right and Hopoate fired a perfect cut-out ball for the winger to go over.
Nathan Brown was the next to benefit from Cherry-Evans’ kicking game, with the big prop chasing down a grubber.
And when Cherry-Evans toed one ahead for Hopoate and the fullback sent Olakau’atu over on halftime, it was 22-6.
This was also close to Olakau’atu’s best game since March, with a number of powerful runs to go with his passing game on the right edge.
He had a second try late to seal the match, leaping up to take a Luke Brooks kick and dive over the line.
Hopoate was the other star, setting the tone when he burst through a Payne Haas tackle in the opening set, before finishing the night with 228 metres.
Haas was gallant for Brisbane three nights after being man of the match in Origin on a torn quad, but the spark is clearly missing from the Broncos attack.
Ezra Mam had his moments, but he still made three errors and was booed by the Brookvale crowd with every touch of the ball.
Arthars had limited impact at fullback, as did Selwyn Cobbo on the wing, with the Broncos a long way removed from the team that ran in 50 points in round one.
“There were patches of what we can do and there are patches we need to improve on,” coach Michael Maguire said.
“It’s straightforward. We will look at it and make sure we have long periods of what we want to do in our game.”
AAP
