Daly Cherry-Evans admits he must step up if he wants to play for the Maroons
DALY Cherry-Evans has opened up about his Origin fall from grace as he prepares to face the obstacles to a Maroons recall, Broncos halves Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford.
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DALY Cherry-Evans has opened up about his Origin fall from grace as he prepares to confront his twin obstacles to a Maroons recall, Broncos halves Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford.
Queensland’s future Origin stocks will collide on Saturday when Cherry-Evans attempts to outwit Hunt and Milford in the Broncos-Manly blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium.
Just 11 months ago, Cherry-Evans was Queensland’s starting halfback in Origin II at the MCG and many viewed it as his watershed moment to cement the No.7 jumper as Cooper Cronk’s successor.
But a below-par display saw Cherry-Evans axed for Game Three, and the sizzling club form of Hunt and Milford this season has seen the Broncos duo surge in Queensland’s playmaking pecking order.
There is a view Cherry-Evans may never play representative football again, but Manly’s $10 million man says the pain of losing it all has steeled him for an Origin fightback.
“It’s the dream of every kid growing up in Queensland (to play Origin),” the Manly No.7 said ahead of Saturday’s sellout double header at the venue where he made his Maroons debut in 2013.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to taste it, but I’ve also been unfortunate enough to lose it.
“I understand it (playing Origin football) doesn’t last forever and I understand how important that jumper is not just for me, but the state of Queensland.
“If I can play at a standard that deserves a jersey, I can’t wait for that opportunity to rise again.”
New Maroons coach Kevin Walters will preside over a fresh Queensland era this season, but the winds of change aren’t blowing in Cherry-Evans’ favour.
He said he had not had a phone call from Walters detailing where he stood in the Maroons’ framework.
“I don’t have a crystal ball, I don’t know (what his selection chances are),” Cherry-Evans said.
“Collectively as a group, the Sydney-based Queensland guys have a dinner every year, but apart from that I haven’t heard from Kevin.”
Confident by nature, Cherry-Evans never backs down from a challenge, which is why he is relishing the prospect of taking on Hunt and Milford.
In a candid confession, the Sea Eagles schemer concedes it is time to step up after being outplayed by Cowboys duo Michael Morgan and Johnathan Thurston a fortnight ago.
“I do enjoy those battles,” he said.
“Before the bye, I played ‘JT’ and Michael Morgan which was a great challenge, the Cowboys are the reigning premiers and playing outstanding football.
“We fell short as a side and individually I wasn’t up to it against them.
“I get another challenge this week to play against arguably the best two young halves in Queensland. I am excited to play against those two guys (Hunt and Milford) and can’t wait to kickstart our season as well.
“I’ve probably been reflective of the side’s performance. Individually, I can say I have been inconsistent.
“I am looking to get that stability in my football on a week-to-week basis and what better way than to start this weekend in front of a big crowd.”
Storm fullback Billy Slater has played alongside Cherry-Evans in Origin battle and said the Manly playmaker was not a spent force in Maroon.
“I don’t know if he’s on the outer,” Slater said.
“Daly is a great player, he’s a had few injuries in the last 12 months and when you have injuries other guys get their opportunities. Michael Morgan has jumped out of the ground and developed into a really good rep player.
“Daly is still a genuine rep player and his opportunity will come again. You don’t become that good and held in such a high regard by luck, I just think Daly has gone through a tough patch.
“Manly aren’t playing as well as a team and that puts pressure on the individual, but Daly will bounce back.”
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