Daly Cherry-Evans and Manly hierarchy need to learn to coexist after ‘smear campaign’ fury, or risk throwing away premiership hopes
The next week is critical for Manly. The club hierarchy needs to find a way to coexist with Daly Cherry-Evans after he vented his ‘smear campaign’ grievances, or else they risk blowing a genuine premiership opportunity, writes BRENT READ.
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Sydney’s northern beaches was lashed by heavy rain in the early hours of Monday morning. Nothing like the storm that rocked the area immediately after Sunday’s big win over Parramatta at 4 Pines Park though.
Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans chose the moments after the club’s win over the Eels to unload on what we presume to be Manly officials, claiming he was the victim of a smear campaign which he described as nasty and ugly.
Cherry-Evans wouldn’t name names. Nor would he go into specifics. But it was pretty clear he was referencing some of the stories over the past week that have attempted to explain why he is leaving the club at the end of the season.
Those stories included an in-depth interview with chief executive Tony Mestrov in which he revealed Cherry-Evans had sought a release at the start of last season to move on.
There were also claims that his decision to leave the club at the end of this season was motivated by money - Manly had ultimately come to the table with a deal believed to be worth around $750,000 a season. It was claimed that Cherry-Evans wanted significantly more.
Cherry-Evans wasn’t happy. So moments after helping his side secure their third win of the season, Cherry-Evans let rip in a series of interviews on radio and television. He referenced the so-called smear campaign in each and every one of them.
He wasn’t mucking around. It was remarkable to watch and hear as the club skipper effectively unloaded on the hierarchy over his treatment.
The Manly saga has been gripping news for a week and counting now. Rare is that you see a club captain announce he is walking out on a club, in particular on national television.
Rarer still that he unloads on those that pay his wages, if that is indeed where his accusations were directed. Coach Anthony Seibold sat passively by Cherry-Evans’ side as he vented his fury after Sunday’s game and one wonders what he was thinking given his side looks to be in a premiership window.
Tom Trbojevic injury aside, if anything is going to undo their premiership campaign it is the Cherry-Evans saga and the impact it is having on the club and its playing group.
Tom and his brothers Ben and Jake bleed maroon and white. A penny for their thoughts as they watch the club teeter on the brink of implosion.
The next week is critical for Manly. The club hierarchy needs to sit down with Cherry-Evans and orchestrate a ceasefire. They need to find a way to coexist.
They need to end the sniping and concentrate on what really matters - winning a premiership.
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