Manly legend breaks ranks with explosive new claims against Daly Cherry-Evans
Manly premiership winner Mark Carroll has broken rank by declaring halfback Daly Cherry-Evans will "tarnish his legacy" by walking out on the club at the end of the year. As the rift at the Sea Eagles between star player and management widens, Carroll is the first ex-player to come out and express his anger and disappointment at the veteran No.7.
He described DCE's decision to announce his exit from the club via a television interview as "piss poor", claiming a number of fellow Golden Eagles feel the same way but are staying silent. And he suggested some current players may not be happy with their skipper.
"As a former Manly player, I am really disappointed in Cherry-Evans' actions," Carroll wrote in his weekly online column for 'The Nightly'. "I know a lot of ex-Manly players feel the same way but are unwilling – or unable – to truly voice their opinion.
"And I'd be surprised if a number of his current teammates aren't filthy with him, although they are toeing the line and saying the right things publicly. I know I'd have the shits if I were them.
"To turn around and announce on live television you're quitting the club that has given you a shitload of money and set you up for life is piss poor form in my book. I think it will tarnish his legacy on the northern beaches."
Carroll's strong condemnation comes as Manly desperately tries to put a lid on the issue after more than a week of controversy. Cherry-Evans added more fuel to the fire with a staggering post-match conference on Sunday in which he accused unnamed people of "trying to run a smear campaign against me".
It was unclear who his intended target was, with most assuming it was CEO Tony Mestrov. The Sea Eagles are riding high after moving into second spot on the back of three wins in four starts. They face their toughest test of the season to date on Sunday afternoon – Melbourne at 4Pines Park – and are keen for the DCE headlines to disappear.
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But that appears unlikely given the intense interest in Cherry-Evans' comments and continued speculation about his playing future. Carroll added: "I'm not sure what's going on in Daly's head but I wish him all the best with his next career move. But I've got to say, some of the love I and others had for him has evaporated."
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