By Robert Dillon
Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans claimed he has been targeted with a “nasty” and “ugly” smear campaign after steering his team to a 26-12 victory against Parramatta on Sunday.
The veteran halfback dropped the bombshell of the year when he revealed last Monday that he would be leaving Manly, who he has been with since 2011, to either join a new club or retire.
While he initially insisted the split would be amicable, the subsequent narrative has disappointed the 36-year-old.
“I feel like it could have ended pretty quickly early in the week but it obviously didn’t, which means conversations were continuing to happen outside of the ones happening between the club and I,” Cherry-Evans said at the post-match media conference.
“So that’s where I felt like it got a bit nasty and a bit ugly ... it’s hard not to take things personally sometimes because we’re all human.
“One thing I have gotten pretty good at and used to is controlling the things that you can control and keeping your focus on the things that are important, which is your footy side, and your family, so I did that the best I could this week.”
Daly Cherry-Evans on the fly against Parramatta.Credit: Getty Images
Cherry-Evans would not elaborate on whom he thought was responsible for the “smear campaign”, saying: “I know who it’s coming from, and it’s not appropriate to talk about it.
“You guys [the media] obviously know where it’s coming from as well, but I’m old enough and big enough to handle it.”
Cherry-Evans was delighted Manly had overcome the distraction to post a comprehensive win against the Eels. They are now second on the competition ladder.
He was also thrilled with the reception from the 17,286-strong crowd at Brookvale, who gave him a tremendous reception both before and after the game.
“My two biggest worries were how it affected the team, and it was so great to see us get out there and get the result ... and then yeah the reception, definitely I was a bit nervous,” he said.
“But honestly, I was really emotional today when I heard the people that fill the hill supporting me.”
Manly’s win was overshadowed by a knee injury that is expected to sideline champion fullback Tom Trbojevic for as long as six weeks.
Tom Trbojevic leaves the field just before half-time on Sunday.Credit: Getty Images
Trbojevic was returning after missing last week’s win against Canberra with a hamstring strain but lasted only 25 minutes before he suffered another setback.
With his right leg already heavily strapped before kick-off – having reportedly copped a knock to his knee at training on Saturday – Trbojevic needed treatment and eventually rejoined the game.
He spent the rest of the first half hobbling and was the first player to leave the field when the siren sounded, heading up the tunnel to consult Manly’s medical staff.
With Manly leading 12-0, he did not return for the second half.
“Unfortunately, today was a tough, tough day for him,” Manly coach Anthony Seibold said of Trbojevic. “We’re disappointed to lose him.”
Once the game had started, Cherry-Evans wasted no time stamping his class on proceedings.
He could have scored the opening try in the eighth minute, only for winger Jason Saab to finish it off in style himself with an in-and-away that beat Eels fullback Isaiah Iongi.
Eight minutes later, the Sea Eagles were in again, on the opposite flank, through Levi Hopoate.
A couple of Reuben Garrick penalty goals either side of half-time gave the home team a 14-0 advantage, but the winless Eels stuck to their task.
They narrowed the deficit in the 56th minute when prop Joe Ofahengaue, appearing in his 200th top-grade game, crashed over from close range.
That just seemed to stir the Sea Eagles from their slumber and tries from bench forward Corey Waddell (63rd minute) and centre Tolutau Koula (68th minute) left the Eels pondering their fourth successive defeat under rookie coach Jason Ryles.
A try from back-rower Shaun Lane in the dying seconds provided some consolation for the visitors.
Ryles said afterwards he was frustrated because “our fight and our effort were there, but we just put ourselves under too much pressure”.
He dismissed suggestions from club legend Nathan Hindmarsh that “moving on” Newcastle-bound five-eighth Dylan Brown would be best for all parties.
“That’s not been discussed for a second at our club,” Ryles said. “I’ll let you know if it ever does get discussed.
“But, yeah, that’s my thoughts. There’s nothing else. Dylan’s playing for Parramatta to the end of the year and if anything changes, I’ll let you know.”
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