Cleary & Moses – ‘Shades of' dynasty

Cherry-Evans doesn't know if he'll be Queensland No.7

West Australian

an hour ago

West Australian

Cherry-Evans doesn't know if he'll be Queensland No.7

Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans says he does not know if he has done enough to keep his Maroons No.7 jersey for State of Origin II in Perth. Billy Slater will make the most important call of his coaching career on Sunday, when he decides whether to retain Cherry-Evans for the must-win match. The halfback's position has been a point of debate since the Maroons' series-opening loss, with Cherry-Evans facing competition from Tom Dearden. The Manly veteran had one of his best games of the season in his first match after Origin last week, being close to the Sea Eagles' best against Brisbane. But like the majority of Manly's team, he endured a mixed outing in the Sea Eagles' 26-22 golden-point loss in Newcastle on Thursday night. Cherry-Evans was heavily involved in Manly's 16-0 halftime lead at McDonald Jones Stadium. The No.7 put a kick out on the full in the second half as the Sea Eagles collapsed, before he was unable to get a field-goal shot away at the death. Cherry-Evans has been one of the Maroons' best performers for a number of years, but there have been calls from the likes of Andrew Johns for him to be axed. Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben Ikin also claimed this week the halfback had been too "sideways" in attack in Origin I. Asked after Manly's loss whether that performance was enough to keep him in the Maroons squad, Cherry-Evans said he was unsure. "I don't know. I will find out Monday or Sunday," Cherry-Evans said. "You always find out on the Sunday or Monday." The 36-year-old also said he had paid little attention to speculation over his position, including suggestions that Thursday night's game was his last chance to make a statement. "I genuinely don't know what has been said," Cherry-Evans said. "I understand it's a pretty busy period when it comes to my name. "But I am just doing my best to keep my head down. Train and play with the Manly boys and be a good dad." Cherry-Evans' position is one of several calls Queensland coach Billy Slater must make. Queensland must find a way to match NSW's early-set yardage, after Zac Lomax and Brian To'o gave the Blues the field position for the Origin I victory. Corey Horsburgh is considered an option to come into the forward pack, while a new No.14 must be found if Dearden does replace Cherry-Evans. Speaking before Thursday night's match, Cherry-Evans' predecessor Cooper Cronk urged his old teammate Billy Slater to meet with the half before making a call. "I think Billy should have a heart-to-heart coffee catch up with Daly and ask him how much the jersey means," Cronk said on Fox League. "Because the series is on the line, and Daly the captain and halfback needs to deliver. "(How he plays against Newcastle), I don't think it matters. Billy would have made that gut instinct call up already."

Perth Now

an hour ago

Perth Now

Cherry-Evans doesn't know if he'll be Queensland No.7

Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans says he does not know if he has done enough to keep his Maroons No.7 jersey for State of Origin II in Perth. Billy Slater will make the most important call of his coaching career on Sunday, when he decides whether to retain Cherry-Evans for the must-win match. The halfback's position has been a point of debate since the Maroons' series-opening loss, with Cherry-Evans facing competition from Tom Dearden. The Manly veteran had one of his best games of the season in his first match after Origin last week, being close to the Sea Eagles' best against Brisbane. But like the majority of Manly's team, he endured a mixed outing in the Sea Eagles' 26-22 golden-point loss in Newcastle on Thursday night. Cherry-Evans was heavily involved in Manly's 16-0 halftime lead at McDonald Jones Stadium. The No.7 put a kick out on the full in the second half as the Sea Eagles collapsed, before he was unable to get a field-goal shot away at the death. Cherry-Evans has been one of the Maroons' best performers for a number of years, but there have been calls from the likes of Andrew Johns for him to be axed. Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben Ikin also claimed this week the halfback had been too "sideways" in attack in Origin I. Asked after Manly's loss whether that performance was enough to keep him in the Maroons squad, Cherry-Evans said he was unsure. "I don't know. I will find out Monday or Sunday," Cherry-Evans said. "You always find out on the Sunday or Monday." The 36-year-old also said he had paid little attention to speculation over his position, including suggestions that Thursday night's game was his last chance to make a statement. "I genuinely don't know what has been said," Cherry-Evans said. "I understand it's a pretty busy period when it comes to my name. "But I am just doing my best to keep my head down. Train and play with the Manly boys and be a good dad." Cherry-Evans' position is one of several calls Queensland coach Billy Slater must make. Queensland must find a way to match NSW's early-set yardage, after Zac Lomax and Brian To'o gave the Blues the field position for the Origin I victory. Corey Horsburgh is considered an option to come into the forward pack, while a new No.14 must be found if Dearden does replace Cherry-Evans. Speaking before Thursday night's match, Cherry-Evans' predecessor Cooper Cronk urged his old teammate Billy Slater to meet with the half before making a call. "I think Billy should have a heart-to-heart coffee catch up with Daly and ask him how much the jersey means," Cronk said on Fox League. "Because the series is on the line, and Daly the captain and halfback needs to deliver. "(How he plays against Newcastle), I don't think it matters. Billy would have made that gut instinct call up already."