Source :- THE AGE NEWS
With a step back against the grain, a shimmy and then a pivot around yet another hapless opponent, Daly Cherry-Evans did what he does best.
He finished with a grin, and a giggle, too. Sharks fullback Will Kennedy had been left for dead more than an hour earlier when the 37-year-old masterminded the Roosters’ passage to Friday’s preliminary final date with the Dolphins.
The gaggle of reporters, slow-footed at the best of times, never stood a chance, asking about the storyline that will now loom all week next to the one regarding star halfback Sam Walker’s rapidly healed ankle ligaments.
Especially considering Cherry-Evans’ tripping charge against Teig Wilton ended as expected on Sunday with a $1000 fine from the match review committee.
But surely, Daly, you can appreciate the narrative, the rugby league romanticism of one last outing at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium? Against the Redcliffe-based Dolphins no less, where he took those first furtive steps in rugby league as a six-year-old for Redcliffe more than 30 years ago, where his dad and uncle both played as well?
“I completely understand the sentiment, but they are just storylines,” Cherry-Evans said with a smile when his links to the Dolphins were raised.
“At the end of the day, we’re playing a prelim … At no stage have we made it about me or anyone who is leaving the club. Because while those things create great headlines, they distract us from what we need to do here, which is play footy.”
Cherry-Evans, throughout an enthralling 16-year, 377-game career (which pushes well past 400 appearances when 21 Tests and 26 Origins are included), often inadvertently, so often has. Few have provided such regular, meaty copy.
And as for the Redcliffe connections, the 30-year-old archived photos do more justice than words ever could.
In more recent times, the Dolphins have eyed off that cherub-cheeked kid more than once as a potential star signing. In 2021, when he still could, Manly owner Scott Penn issued a “hands off” edict as Redcliffe hunted culture-setting marquee signings while establishing their first NRL roster.
When things fell apart between the Sea Eagles and Cherry-Evans, the Dolphins were one of the few clubs the veteran No.7 actually met with and weighed up as an option, though the Roosters were always early clubhouse leaders for his signature.
Now, after more than 33,000 minutes of top-level rugby league (80 x 424 games, you can work out all the extra time), Cherry-Evans now has just either 80 or 160 minutes left in the NRL.
By his own admission, he was sub-par against Penrith in the Roosters’ 19-12 week one finals loss.
No one has slotted more field goals than Cherry-Evans’ 31 in the NRL era. But the late attempt he shanked – by his lofty standards, oh so badly – was, according to Fox Sports stats, the 50th missed one-pointer of his career, too.
It doesn’t matter in the wash of a truly glittering career. Except for the explanation Cherry-Evans offers after getting back to his best against Cronulla, with that crucial 27th minute solo try and three try assists as well.
“You won’t find anyone harder on my own game than myself. It’s as simple as that,” he said after being the last Rooster to emerge from Allianz Stadium.
“But what happens next is if I carry my divots, I’m then not only putting myself out, but my team out [too]. From the words of the great Ted Lasso, memory of a goldfish.”
That selective memory – “sporting amnesia” as Trent Robinson dubbed it on Saturday night – was perfect for jettisoning the attacking missteps against Penrith.
Less so, the way the Dolphins pulled his right-side defensive combination with Rob Toia apart in their last clash. In a 26-12 victory for the Queenslanders, one that announced their arrival as proper premiership contenders, they went after Cherry-Evans and no doubt plan to do so again on Friday night.
The Roosters’ right edge has been a work in progress all season. Halves are naturally targeted; Cherry-Evans as much as any. Yet, while the Roosters scored eight tries to Cronulla’s two at Allianz Stadium, the Sharks weren’t able to exploit the veteran No.7, despite having more tackles (38-27) inside the opposition 20-metre zone.
“Defence wins you competitions there’s no doubt about it,” Cherry-Evans said.
“Last week [against Penrith], while we didn’t get the win, for the most part of the game it was a really great defensive effort. And we leaned on that [against the Sharks] again, didn’t we?
“The try line defence, when we needed to, more often than not, we turned them away. If we continue to do that, we can really grow as a side.”
