Daly Cherry-Evans has labelled the backlash regarding his departure from Manly as a “smear campaign” following his team’s 26-12 triumph over the Eels. Amid speculations about potential boos from the home crowd, Cherry-Evans was met with cheers as he made his entrance onto the field. Demonstrating his usual leadership and skill, he effectively guided his team throughout the match, racking up an impressive 622 kicking metres.
After the game, Cherry-Evans spoke with Nine’s Brad Fittler and expressed his relief, noting that there was extra motivation to secure a solid victory. He recognised the importance of setting aside personal feelings for the betterment of the team. “It was a significant win. With personal factors at play, it’s essential to focus on the task and not let ego interfere,” he reflected. He praised his team, especially in the face of recent injuries to key players like Tom Trbojevic and Josh Aloiai, applauding their resilience and determination under pressure.
Cherry-Evans admitted to feeling more anxious than usual heading into the match, largely due to the prior week’s events. “It’s challenging to ignore the personal side of things, especially with the negative press targeting me. However, playing is my favourite part of the week,” he shared. The halfback expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating he was both nervous and relieved to come away with the win.