Daly Cherry-Evans, the Roosters’ five-eighth, experienced a mix of emotions during his first game at Brookvale Oval in a jersey other than the Manly Sea Eagles. Despite the “really weird” sensation, he found himself “exactly where he wanted to be” following a rousing reception from the crowd.
Cherry-Evans, a long-time Sea Eagles player and their most capped athlete, made headlines with his off-season transfer to the Roosters. As the match drew near, many speculated on how the Manly supporters would greet their former captain and 2011 premiership winner in the Roosters’ colours.
During the warm-ups, Cherry-Evans sensed the crowd’s energy, but it was in the match itself that he truly felt the weight of their reactions. Every time he handled the ball, he faced a wave of boos, contrasted by cheers when he was tackled by the Manly players. However, at the final whistle, his smile was undeniably bright, buoyed by the Roosters’ 33-16 victory.
In his post-match comments, Cherry-Evans reflected positively on the crowd’s response, asserting there was “no nastiness” in the reactions. He appreciated the fans’ passion for the game and acknowledged the significance of being back at Brookvale, a place where he has countless memories and friendships. His perspective was clear: sports evoke strong emotions, and he welcomed the spirited atmosphere.
The support from Trent Robinson, the Roosters’ coach, mirrored Cherry-Evans’ sentiments, who viewed the crowd’s reactions as light-hearted and part of the game’s charm.
After a halftime deficit of 10-8, the Roosters rallied with impressive efforts resulting in tries by Robert Toia, Connor Watson, and Daniel Tupou in a five-minute flurry, securing their win over a challenged Manly squad. Cherry-Evans noted the team’s unwavering belief throughout the match, despite being behind on the scoreboard at times. He credited the coaching staff and the forward pack for maintaining strong defensive performance and getting back into the game.
Overall, it was an emotional yet triumphant return for Cherry-Evans, who is now embracing his new journey with the Roosters while cherishing the memories from his long-standing tenure with the Sea Eagles.