Matty Johns: Manly’s mistakes exposed in Cherry-Evans negotiations

With whispers coming out of both Manly and Daly Cherry-Evans’ camps, it’s hard to separate the facts from fiction, writes Matty Johns, but one thing is for certain – the Sea Eagles have made a costly mistake.

In the last few weeks, Dylan Brown and Daly Cherry-Evans have been probably the most talked-about athletes in Australian sport.

Both know what it’s like to pen a 10-year deal and both are aware of the scrutiny that brings.

If they weren’t going head to head this Sunday, Cherry-Evans might muster the empathy to give Brown some advice on dealing with the pressure he is under.

But then again, Cherry-Evans is dealing with his own shit.

I was stunned by the news that Cherry-Evans is leaving Manly at season’s end.

Cherry-Evans has stated there’s no animosity between he and club officials, but I’m sensing he’s keeping the dirty laundry in the wash basket.

Contract negotiations are tricky. There’s dialogue which at times can be uncomfortable, there’s push and push back, both parties treading a fine line between the business and the personal.

It’s particularly tricky when it comes to a club legend in his final few seasons of his career.

I sense somewhere it’s got personal.

Daly Cherry-Evans vents his frustration.

IT’S HARD TO SEPARATE THE SHIT FROM THE SHINOLA

I didn’t believe Manly would let it get to this.

The Sea Eagles were too pedestrian in getting a deal done. Reports were they were willing to wait and see what offer their skipper would receive before tabling theirs.

With whispers coming out of both camps, it’s hard to separate the shit from the Shinola, the fact from fiction. But the bottom line is Manly needed this deal done fast and should’ve offered two years from day one of negotiations.

Pure halfbacks are rare commodity. Elite halfbacks are diamonds. And Manly left the safe open.

When contract negotiations break down, both parties play their part, but Manly gambled, the reaction of offering a two-year deal so rapidly after Cherry-Evans announced his departure, demonstrates they were playing poker and were caught off-guard.

The Sea Eagles are now desperate to get their skipper back to the negotiation table because they know they can’t replace him.

He’s gone.

Clubs are circling DCE. Some publicly, some privately.

The Dolphins appeared favourites but of course whispers of a prominent Bondi club having the deal done is a predictable conspiracy. However, that doesn’t mean it ain’t true.

Dylan Brown needs to rely on his instincts. Picture: NRL Photos

DON’T THINK, RUN

As for Cherry-Evans’ opponent Sunday, it was predicted that all the scrutiny on Brown would weigh heavily, and it has.

In the last two matches, Brown has withdrawn from the contest when his side has needed him most.

The intense scrutiny has him fearing error, constantly second guessing.

There also seems to be a change in his approach, as if he’s trying to be the player many believe Newcastle have signed him to be, the organiser.

One day, Brown might be that player. But not now, not in a Parramatta jersey.

Brown creates through his power and feet, that’s his gift. The pass, the subtlety, is secondary.

Look at New Zealand Warriors half Luke Metcalf, in essence a six wearing the seven.

In Vegas, he tried to play like a classic halfback and his greatest strength, the run, disappeared.

Since then he’s adjusted, allowing hooker Wade Egan to take a central playmaking role and, in turn, allowing himself to find the balance of run and pass.

But Brown needs a switch of mindset as well. He needs to replace nervousness with aggression.

Don’t finesse, bludgeon.

Return to fundamentals, always think run first. If you look up and see a tired player, run at him.

If you see a disorganised defence, run at it.

If your gut instinct tells you something may be on, trust it. Don’t think, run.

Forget about Newcastle, that jersey is a season away — unless things continue to deteriorate and the teams negotiate an early release.

The Knights signed you for your strengths.

If they want you to change your role, let them figure it out.

On Sunday, Manly are clear favourites, but the Sea Eagles can be wildly inconsistent, and have had of week of distraction.

If Parramatta can fight as hard as they did in their 16-8 loss to Canterbury, they’ll give themselves a chance.

Originally published as Matty Johns: Manly’s mistakes exposed in Cherry-Evans negotiations