Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans won’t rock Queensland’s State of Origin boat

DALY Cherry-Evans is prepared to wait another three years to become Queensland halfback - because he doesn’t want to “rock the boat.’’

MANLY star Daly Cherry-Evans is prepared to wait another three years to become Queensland halfback - because he doesn’t want to “rock the boat.’’

Cherry-Evans is among the game’s elite now with some even suggesting he has zipped past Dally M Medal winner Cooper Cronk as the Maroons’ premier halfback.

But Cherry-Evans isn’t targeting Cronk - he only wants to continue riding Queensland’s wave of success.

“To be honest, at the moment, there is no need to rock the boat,’’ Cherry-Evans said.

“What Queensland has got at the moment is gold.

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“I want to continue to be part of that and if that means coming off the bench for the next three years then I am more than happy to do so.

“I am not going to rock the boat - I want to continue to play good football and try and stay in those sides.

“I finally got a taste of representative football, which has been a goal of mine since I was playing football as a kid. To get a taste only makes a person hungrier.

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“But I am not at the stage of my career where I can sit back and say: ‘Yeah, things are going really well’.

“I need to continue to work hard and I think the success will follow if I continue to apply myself at training with the help of my teammates as always.’’

Cherry-Evans played for Queensland and Australia last season - his status in rugby league soaring.

Asked did he now feel he now belonged in rep football, Cherry-Evans said: “Not quite yet to be honest.

“I have only played a handful of Origin and Australian games so I still feel I need to play more games to feel established.’’

The Daily Telegraph colleague Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield this week rated Cherry-Evans the NRL’s best halfback.

News_Image_File: Daly Cherry-Evans of the Maroons runs the ball.

“It’s not for me to say I am the best halfback in the game or not,’’ Cherry-Evans said.

“I just need to continue to play for Manly and do the best job I can.

“If I continue to do that then hopefully people will keep writing good press and stay away from the bad press.’’

Either way, there is no doubt Cherry-Evans is among the finest playmakers in the game.

He is an elite player.

“(But) I am only three years into first grade,’’ he said. “For me to be put that sort of category is a bit unrealistic.

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“Who knows what the future holds? But I will continue to work hard so hopefully I can be regarded (as an elite player).’’

Manly coach Geoff Toovey knows full well how important Cherry-Evans is to his side.

“I think Daly is next in line for that mantle (Australian halfback),’’ Toovey said.

“It he continues to play as he has been - and improving each year - he is definitely in there with being a chance of being the best halfback.’’