Sea Eagles halfback Daly Cherry-Evans says coach Trent Barrett has kept team together

SEA Eagles halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has praised coach Trent Barrett for keeping the players united after suffering seven consecutive NRL losses.

Daly Cherry-Evans in action against the Cowboys, Picture: Zak Simmonds.

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SEA Eagles halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has praised coach Trent Barrett for keeping the players united after the heartbreak of suffering seven consecutive NRL losses.

“The situations he has been put in as a rookie coach is nothing short of unbelievable,” Cherry-Evans said. “But I can’t fault the man in his resilience and his character, the way he has been keeping us together as a playing group.

“It is quite easy in situations like this for, I guess, playing groups to split. But more so than ever I feel quite comfortable about where our playing group is and how confident we are in not just our ability but what our coaching staff are giving us to learn and to improve.”

Cherry-Evans provided an insight into the feeling among the team as they face the prospect of equalling an unwanted club record of eight defeats on the trot in Monday night’s game against St George Illawarra at Brookvale Oval.

“It is foreign territory for a lot of people here, including myself,” he said.

“The days after a game are usually quite noiseless, it’s tough to get up after consecutive losses, let alone seven.

“The only way I know how to get out of tough situations is head down, bum up and just apply yourself the best you can.”

Despite Manly’s position, Cherry-Evans has not given up on the side fighting its way into the finals.

“If mathematical hope is all we have, then that’s all we’ll need,” he said. “We need to work harder again this week and along with my teammates, I’m sure we’ll dig ourselves out of this.”

His return from an ankle injury coincided with the Sea Eagles’ improved performance in going down 30-26 to the Cowboys.

“Monday night was a step in the right direction for me personally but, again, it is the result we are after not individual form,” he said. “Unfortunately I am carrying an injury that is not foreign to other players in the competition or my teammates.

“So I am going to have to do the best with what I have got this season and if Monday is anything to go by, I believe I can still compete at a high level and play a good standard of rugby league