Cherry-Evans makes statement as Manly sweep Broncos

The Advertiser

2 days ago

Daly Cherry-Evans has sent a message to his State of Origin critics, producing his best match in months to lead Manly to a 34-6 win over Brisbane.
Three days after Queensland's loss left questions over his spot in the Maroons' side, Cherry-Evans set up three tries in the Sea Eagles' win at Brookvale.
Lehi Hopoate was also superb filling in for Tom Trbojevic at fullback, while winger Haumole Olakau'atu scored a double to send Manly back into the top eight.
The result consigned Brisbane to their sixth loss in seven games, with the Broncos in freefall and out of a finals-finishing position for the first time this year.
But the story was Cherry-Evans, who turned in his best performance since announcing in March that he is leaving the Sea Eagles at year's end.
The 36-year-old combined brilliantly with Hopoate, and was back involved in everything for the Sea Eagles.
The half kicked in the lead-up to three tries, routinely booted Manly out of trouble, and had the Sea Eagles' right edge back playing with depth again.
Crucially, the Maroons skipper's outing came hours after his rival for the Queensland No.7 spot, Tom Dearden, starred in the Cowboys' win over Wests Tigers.
Cherry-Evans laid on Manly's first try when he grubbered for Clayton Faulalo, and Jesse Arthars failed to dive on the loose ball in the in-goal.
Faulalo's second try came when Cherry-Evans sent the ball right and Hopoate fired a perfect cut-out ball for the winger to go over.
It was one of several highlights for Faulalo, who twice kept the ball in play by popping it up in the air as he ran out like a cricket fielder on the boundary.
Nathan Brown was the next to benefit from Cherry-Evans' kicking game, with the big prop chasing down a grubber for his first try since 2022.
And when Cherry-Evans toed one ahead for Hopoate and the fullback sent Haumole Olakau'atu over on halftime, it was 22-6 and the halfback had made a statement.
This was also close to Olakau'atu's best game since March, with a number of powerful runs to go with his passing game on the right edge.
He had a second try late to seal the match, leaping up to take a Luke Brooks kick and dive over the line.
Hopoate was the other star, setting the tone when he burst through a Payne Haas tackle in the opening set, before finishing the night with 228 metres.
Haas was gallant for Brisbane three nights after being man of the match in Origin on a torn quad, but the spark is clearly missing from the Broncos attack.
Ezra Mam had his moments, but he still made three errors and was booed by the Brookvale hill with every touch of the ball.
Jesse Arthars had limited impact at fullback, as did Selwyn Cobbo on the wing, with the Broncos a long way removed from the team that ran in 50 points in round one.
Daly Cherry-Evans has sent a message to his State of Origin critics, producing his best match in months to lead Manly to a 34-6 win over Brisbane.
Three days after Queensland's loss left questions over his spot in the Maroons' side, Cherry-Evans set up three tries in the Sea Eagles' win at Brookvale.
Lehi Hopoate was also superb filling in for Tom Trbojevic at fullback, while winger Haumole Olakau'atu scored a double to send Manly back into the top eight.
The result consigned Brisbane to their sixth loss in seven games, with the Broncos in freefall and out of a finals-finishing position for the first time this year.
But the story was Cherry-Evans, who turned in his best performance since announcing in March that he is leaving the Sea Eagles at year's end.
The 36-year-old combined brilliantly with Hopoate, and was back involved in everything for the Sea Eagles.
The half kicked in the lead-up to three tries, routinely booted Manly out of trouble, and had the Sea Eagles' right edge back playing with depth again.
Crucially, the Maroons skipper's outing came hours after his rival for the Queensland No.7 spot, Tom Dearden, starred in the Cowboys' win over Wests Tigers.
Cherry-Evans laid on Manly's first try when he grubbered for Clayton Faulalo, and Jesse Arthars failed to dive on the loose ball in the in-goal.
Faulalo's second try came when Cherry-Evans sent the ball right and Hopoate fired a perfect cut-out ball for the winger to go over.
It was one of several highlights for Faulalo, who twice kept the ball in play by popping it up in the air as he ran out like a cricket fielder on the boundary.
Nathan Brown was the next to benefit from Cherry-Evans' kicking game, with the big prop chasing down a grubber for his first try since 2022.
And when Cherry-Evans toed one ahead for Hopoate and the fullback sent Haumole Olakau'atu over on halftime, it was 22-6 and the halfback had made a statement.
This was also close to Olakau'atu's best game since March, with a number of powerful runs to go with his passing game on the right edge.
He had a second try late to seal the match, leaping up to take a Luke Brooks kick and dive over the line.
Hopoate was the other star, setting the tone when he burst through a Payne Haas tackle in the opening set, before finishing the night with 228 metres.
Haas was gallant for Brisbane three nights after being man of the match in Origin on a torn quad, but the spark is clearly missing from the Broncos attack.
Ezra Mam had his moments, but he still made three errors and was booed by the Brookvale hill with every touch of the ball.
Jesse Arthars had limited impact at fullback, as did Selwyn Cobbo on the wing, with the Broncos a long way removed from the team that ran in 50 points in round one.
Daly Cherry-Evans has sent a message to his State of Origin critics, producing his best match in months to lead Manly to a 34-6 win over Brisbane.
Three days after Queensland's loss left questions over his spot in the Maroons' side, Cherry-Evans set up three tries in the Sea Eagles' win at Brookvale.
Lehi Hopoate was also superb filling in for Tom Trbojevic at fullback, while winger Haumole Olakau'atu scored a double to send Manly back into the top eight.
The result consigned Brisbane to their sixth loss in seven games, with the Broncos in freefall and out of a finals-finishing position for the first time this year.
But the story was Cherry-Evans, who turned in his best performance since announcing in March that he is leaving the Sea Eagles at year's end.
The 36-year-old combined brilliantly with Hopoate, and was back involved in everything for the Sea Eagles.
The half kicked in the lead-up to three tries, routinely booted Manly out of trouble, and had the Sea Eagles' right edge back playing with depth again.
Crucially, the Maroons skipper's outing came hours after his rival for the Queensland No.7 spot, Tom Dearden, starred in the Cowboys' win over Wests Tigers.
Cherry-Evans laid on Manly's first try when he grubbered for Clayton Faulalo, and Jesse Arthars failed to dive on the loose ball in the in-goal.
Faulalo's second try came when Cherry-Evans sent the ball right and Hopoate fired a perfect cut-out ball for the winger to go over.
It was one of several highlights for Faulalo, who twice kept the ball in play by popping it up in the air as he ran out like a cricket fielder on the boundary.
Nathan Brown was the next to benefit from Cherry-Evans' kicking game, with the big prop chasing down a grubber for his first try since 2022.
And when Cherry-Evans toed one ahead for Hopoate and the fullback sent Haumole Olakau'atu over on halftime, it was 22-6 and the halfback had made a statement.
This was also close to Olakau'atu's best game since March, with a number of powerful runs to go with his passing game on the right edge.
He had a second try late to seal the match, leaping up to take a Luke Brooks kick and dive over the line.
Hopoate was the other star, setting the tone when he burst through a Payne Haas tackle in the opening set, before finishing the night with 228 metres.
Haas was gallant for Brisbane three nights after being man of the match in Origin on a torn quad, but the spark is clearly missing from the Broncos attack.
Ezra Mam had his moments, but he still made three errors and was booed by the Brookvale hill with every touch of the ball.
Jesse Arthars had limited impact at fullback, as did Selwyn Cobbo on the wing, with the Broncos a long way removed from the team that ran in 50 points in round one.