Mackay to Manly: The inside story of Cherry-Evans’ rise following game 300
Daly Cherry-Evans has created history as the only player to notch 300 games in the same position. Hear from those who witnessed his rise to glory and helped mould the skipper into a champion.
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Daly Cherry-Evans joined rare air when he ran out for his 300th NRL game, becoming just the second Manly-Warringah Sea Eagle to reach the monumental milestone.
And, as he has so many times throughout his illustrious career, he shone on Saturday, taking the game by the scruff of the neck and leading Manly to a critical 24-18 victory over St. George to keep its finals hopes alive.
It’s not surprising, for the one-club stalwart has never been one to shy away from a challenge, be it leading Queensland in State of Origin, playing an NRL grand final in his debut season, or, lining up for the Mackay Brothers A-grade side as a 17-year-old schoolkid.
Tom Heggie can attest to this. The current Mackay Brothers coach was playing the day Cherry-Evans made his senior debut back in 2006.
“Nothing rattled him to be honest, that’s probably one of his attributes that stick out,” Heggie said.
“He’s very calm, even his preparation for a 17-year-old kid, he took it very seriously, his journey was always going to look something like the way it’s turned out, he’s definitely deserved everything he’s got.”
Heggie was nothing short of astonished at how well Cherry-Evans took to A-grade level at that age, slotting straight into the halfback role.
“(Cherry-Evans was) miles ahead of what his age suggested. That year from memory he ended up being the highest points-scorer in the competition as a 17-year-old,” he said.
“In a competition that was really tough and really strong back then. The skill level was there from a very young age, and his toughness for a 17-year-old.
“There were even weekends where he’d play under-17s and then play A-grade in the same day and have just as much impact in the A-grade.
“He was head and shoulders above some of the other halfbacks in the competition that were a lot older and a lot more experienced.”
‘He came up with them nine times out of 10’
Two days in particular stuck out in Heggie’s mind.
The first, when Cherry-Evans came up against his old mob – Souths Sharks.
“They were really coming for him, they were looking to be nice and aggressive and he scored two tries in that game. It was pretty special,” Heggie said.
He also recalled a losing semi-final where Cherry-Evans did all he could.
“The game was on the line and he came up with two tries, that really sticks out,” he said.
“Big moments and he came up with them nine times out of 10. To be honest he probably carried the side as a 17-year-old.”
While Cherry-Evans would head south to pursue his budding footy career at the conclusion of the 2006 season, his father Troy, who was at the helm of Brothers, would lead them to consecutive premierships in 2007 and 2008.
“The ‘06 year was probably the year that got us moving in the right direction, and looking back it was on the back of Daly,” Heggie said.
Only player to reach 300 games in the same position
Current Mackay Cutters coach Michael Comerford, who played juniors at Souths and schoolboys at St. Patrick’s with Cherry-Evans, echoed Heggie’s sentiment.
“There’s a stat he’s the only player to play 300 games in the same position, it was pretty clear with the seven on his back was where he was going to make a name for himself,” Comerford said.
“He was one of those guys as a kid, very dedicated, could see that rugby league was what he wanted to do and everything revolved around that, which definitely paid dividends with the career that he’s had.
“He’s always been confident … against men he wasn’t shy in standing up and taking control and anyone in that team would attest to that.”
Comerford later came up against Cherry-Evans in the Queensland Cup.
“He was still the same player at that level and he’s just been able to keep going. He went from Queensland Cup to winning an NRL premiership in the space of 12 months,” he said.
“Every challenge he’s had he’s stepped up and maintained that same quality all the way through to premierships, Origin, and Test level as well.”
‘He’s the bloke you want to follow’
Australian league and union representative Wendell Sailor, who is a proud Sarina product, revealed he had taken a keen interest in the career of Cherry-Evans.
“I always take a close eye on kids who come from the area,” Sailor said.
“I love calling Manly games … because Cherry just keeps competing, and he’s the bloke that you want to follow because of his leadership, and when he speaks, he’s just such a humble bloke.”
“I’m just really proud of Cherry-Evans, he’s much maligned, I’ve always had lovely meetings with him whether it’s an Origin camp or whether it’s working for Triple M, he articulates himself well, he’s got great footy IQ.
“Just to see him lead Queensland the way he has the last couple of years makes me proud. Not just of him but Reuben Cotter as well. You’ve got two Sarina lads that are killing it on the big stage, it makes me unbelievably proud inside.”
Sailor, who is close friends with Manly coach Anthony Seibold, revealed Cherry-Evans’ current mentor was thrilled at the prospect of working closely with the 34-year-old.
‘Outstanding player’
According to Seibold, who is also a former Mackay Cutter’s coach, the reasons why were clear.
“He’s obviously an outstanding player … he’s Queensland captain and he’s been a really consistent player for a long period of time, really fortunate to coach him,” Seibold said.
“He’s the ultimate professional. His longevity and his consistency speaks for itself. He’s a really easy guy to coach, he’s got a great attitude for work and knows when to lighten up, just got a really good feel for things.
“As I said the most impressive thing about him is he’s been doing this and has been consistent like this for a long time, 300 games is hard to come by.
“He’s got great self awareness, when I last worked with him there were a lot of other leaders in the group … now ‘Chez’ is the real leader of that group.
“Just a really dedicated professional, carries himself really well, very impressed by him.”
Funnily enough, Seibold was once the ballboy for Cherry-Evans father Troy when he was playing in Rockhampton.
Troy and the Cherry-Evans family are understandably proud of Daly.
“He left home as a young 17-year-old boy to pursue footy,” said Kellie Cherry, Daly’s mum.
“He has stayed true to his values his entire career and we are so proud to watch him live out his dream.
“Congratulations on 300 games Daly.”
Originally published as Mackay to Manly: The inside story of Cherry-Evans’ rise following game 300
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