Daly Cherry-Evans, captain of the Maroons, faces uncertainty regarding his selection for the upcoming State of Origin series after a disappointing game one performance. With calls from fans and commentators to replace him with Tom Dearden for the next match in Perth, Cherry-Evans’s position has become increasingly precarious.
His case for remaining in the lineup was not strengthened following his club, Manly, squandering a 16-0 lead in a match against the struggling Newcastle Knights. In a post-match press conference, Cherry-Evans was asked if he believed he had done enough to secure a spot in Queensland’s team coached by Billy Slater. With a wry smile, he replied, “I don’t know – find out Sunday or Monday,” indicating awareness of the ongoing discussions surrounding his potential exclusion.
When pressed further about his current standing in selection discussions, Cherry-Evans reiterated his desire to stay focused on his performance and training with Manly, stating, “I genuinely don’t know what has been said.” He expressed understanding of the media frenzy surrounding his name but emphasized his commitment to being a good teammate and father during this challenging time.
Manly’s recent form has been concerning, highlighted by their inability to achieve consecutive wins this season. Following the golden point defeat to Newcastle, head coach Anthony Seibold reflected on the match, noting that while his team initially performed well, they were ultimately overpowered in the second half when the Knights made an impressive comeback. He acknowledged the disappointment in failing to defend their lead, as Newcastle capitalised on crucial moments in the game.
Looking ahead, Manly is set to face the Gold Coast Titans next weekend before a scheduled bye in round 16. Meanwhile, Slater is expected to announce his squad for Origin II early next week, with Cherry-Evans’s fate hanging in the balance as he awaits confirmation of his selection.