Recalled Maroon Daly Cherry-Evans reveals his torment during his Origin exile
DALY Cherry-Evans says it was hard not to question his future in the Queensland Maroons jersey, as the playmaker sat through a three-year Origin absence.
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DALY Cherry-Evans says it was hard not to question his future in the Queensland Maroons jersey, as the playmaker sat through a three-year Origin exile.
The Sea Eagles skipper revealed how hard it was to listen to the rumours that he was on the outer with Queensland officials and senior players over the last few seasons.
Cherry-Evans debuted for the Maroons in 2013 and went on to make six appearances for the team before becoming shut-out of the 17 after Game Two of 2015.
In his time in exile, rumours swirled that he was out of favour and he said it was hard not to listen to that talk.
“All of that just accumulates when things aren’t going well,” he said of the rumours.
“When things are going really well in footy, they’re going really well and there’s absolutely no question marks.
“Unfortunately off the back of a few bad games, those rumours gain momentum.
“It’s never nice hearing stuff about yourself around that sort of stuff but I just had to make sure I was staying true to me.
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“It’s a hard one to explain. I always trust my judgment as a person and make sure I am doing the best thing for me and my family. It’s a tough one, it really is a tough one.
“There’s no quotes or comments about it, it’s just rumours. No one’s actually come up and told me.”
Cherry-Evans joked that the only person who has revealed what they really think about him was his former Manly teammate Anthony Watmough, who earlier this year labelled the halfback a “f**kwit” in a podcast.
But he said the questions around his character have only helped him get back to the Queensland team, as he continued to work towards his redemption.
“I am experienced in the world of rugby league so I know what’s important and what’s not,” he said.
“At the end of the day I wouldn’t change anything. I honestly wouldn’t. Would it be great to not have had a three year exile from Origin? That’s the reality of the situation.
“I know it’s helped put me in the position I am in now.”
Originally published as Recalled Maroon Daly Cherry-Evans reveals his torment during his Origin exile