JUST 50 minutes of playing time in two months isn’t much action but for the Sea Eagles star halfback Daly Cherry-Evans it was a fitting end to a 12-month magical sporting carpet ride.
A year ago the kid from Mackay in central Queensland started his pre-season preparation in the full-time training squad in almost total anonymity.
He looked like most youngsters his own age on the peninsula and could move around freely without being recognised.
Not so any more.
In just over 12 months Cherry-Evans has won a premiership in his debut season, won the Rookie of the Year award and made his debut for Australia on the Four Nations tour.
He returned to the peninsula this week and couldn’t be happier.
“I have had the time of my life - I only played 50 minutes in the game against Wales but to pull on the green and gold jersey was something I will never forget. Scoring a try on debut and just learning from the elite players of the game was invaluable to me,” Cherry-Evans said.
“Watching a legend like Darren Lockyer prepare for matches and his manner on and off the field was invaluable. I was like a sponge soaking it all up.”
The confident and well-mannered number seven says he can’t wait to return to England in February with his Manly teammates for the World Club Challenge against Leeds Rhinos.
“I loved the experience of being in England but I don’t go much on the weather and I am told it will be very cold and probably wet when we go over,” he said.
Cherry-Evans roomed with giant North Queensland Cowboys prop Matt Scott on tour.
“He is a Queensland country boy like me and we got on really well.”
DCE also came clean on a posting on his Facebook site which had him photographed with Darren Lockyer in the dressing room after last weekend’s Four Nations final win over England. A message suggested he had been given Lockyer’s last Test jersey.
“That was just a gee-up on the spur of the moment - it isn’t true and I hope I haven’t offended anybody,” he said.
Cherry-Evans postponed a holiday in Bali with his long-time partner Vessa when chosen on the Four Nations tour.
ELECT BOARDS
IT is high time people were elected and not simply placed on boards of sporting clubs - like the Sea Eagles.
I moved at the Manly Leagues Club Board on Tuesday night that when the incoming board starts in February that it consider using its spot on the Sea Eagles from within its own board.
That isn’t meant as a criticism of former player Darrell Williams who was appointed to the Sea Eagles board by leagues club chairman Bob Reilly recently.
Other members of the board were consulted by phone from Reilly.
As his deputy chairman I would have thought I would have been informed.
I was in the Greek Islands but there are phones still working there!
I maintain while it is constitutionally OK to appoint, it is morally wrong.
And that goes for the Manly Football Club as well. It is high time members were represented by people they have elected and not people in favour with some.
COMMON SENSE
IT was never going to go any other way but common sense has prevailed and the Sea Eagles will only play one game in February in England before the World Club Challenge against Leeds.
Coach Geoff Toovey, his staff and the senior players made it clear their preference was for one match.
And, to be fair, that was essentially the end of the matter. No one was going to rock the boat and take on the new coach and his staff.
Manly have been successful by letting the coaching and playing group remain separate from the front office and that will continue under Toovey who is of strong character.
The front office will keep its distance - it is time honoured at Manly and will continue.
Toovey’s calm and firm settling of the issue this week shows - like Des Hasler - he is in charge.
He also quickly settled on NSW Origin assistant coach Matt Parish as his second assistant with David Penna.
Phantar said the following on Sat Nov 26 8:00 2011
JUST 50 minutes of playing time in two months isn’t much action but for the Sea Eagles star halfback Daly Cherry-Evans it was a fitting end to a 12-month magical sporting carpet ride.
Phantar said the following on Sat Nov 26 8:23 2011
Although Mr Peters allows himself another dig at Bob Reilly. Watch for that to play out in coming days, courtesy of the Bulldog. And wasn't Zorba appointed, rather than elected to the Board, himself?
lismore_fan said the following on Sat Nov 26 8:55 2011
I cannot believe Zorba!
Sacked from Manly's Media Manager position but still a Board member and here he is, blabbing about a constitutional matter in the press!
That guy can't have any brains!
Zorba, pls keep your personal opinions about a MWFC or MW League Club out of the press.
Talk about not airing your dirty laundry in public.
HappilyManly said the following on Sat Nov 26 9:52 2011
Two points overlooked by Zorba:
1) DCE's talent got him where he is, not magic
2) Krillich withdrew, so Zorba merely filled the hole
IMO Pasting the MW Clubs' constitution does not provide news copy in a week filled with newsworthy events:s
The new Media Group and the ever responsive Larissa, are right on top of promoting Manly :angel:
Craigm said the following on Sat Nov 26 10:25 2011
It's time for the Manly Daily to move Zorba on too, especially if he is just going to use his column for political grandstanding and his personal axes to grind.
The fans are sick of his negativity. We have slowly been getting some positive press and the bloke who supposedly loves the Club has managed to come up with 3 negative columns in 3 weeks since returning from his holiday.
Get Killer or Kingy to do the column with the help of the new media manager.
It is a pity Beaver is not back yet as he would make the perfect columnist. I would much rather read Beaver's comments on the day to day goings on than Zorba's agenda ridden bile.
Chip and Chase said the following on Sat Nov 26 10:27 2011
So is he saying the members should elect the representatives for the MWSE board ?? Or the members of the FC and LC boards should elect their reps for the MWSE board ?
How does it work now ? I assume that the chairman of each board is elected and then he/she selects representatives for the MWSE board ??
The Wheel said the following on Sat Nov 26 10:53 2011
Weill I think he saying that the members should elect the MWSE reps from the respective football/leagues club boards. Personally I feel this has merit and it will ensure the members/fans are more engaged/have more input into the board and will ensure ensure board members are held to account if they are any more *#%$ ups like Des Gate.
I wonder what the thoughts are of the Football club board members like Vidmar, Jonesy and Rory on this proposal ?
Oneyeagle said the following on Sat Nov 26 11:22 2011
Peter Peters has another agenda going on. The man can't help himself. The sooner we clear out the old stock the sooner we will have stability. Now that Des is gone, Perry has room to breathe and has more say. I'm hoping to see good things from him down the track. We need more supporters and we need to make a profit. The Gravy Train has stop at the station. Permanently !!!!
Craigm said the following on Sat Nov 26 13:26 2011
Quote From: 'The Wheel'
I wonder what the thoughts are of the Football club board members like Vidmar, Jonesy and Rory on this proposal ?
I would hope they think the most important thing is for the Football Club to be represented at the Sea Eagles by the BEST people available and that choice of person should not be limited to those 7 people who put their hand up to be on the Football Club Board.
Same for the Leagues Club. Darrell Williams may have no interest in running a gambling and entertainment venue and therefore may not wasn't to be on the Leagues Club Board, but he is a great choice to contribute as a Sea Eagles Director.
If his actions on the Sea Eagles Board are not properly representing the interests of the Leagues Club, then the Leagues Club Board can replace him. Same goes for m Melinda Gainsford-Taylor.
The Football Club and Leagues Club members elect their Boards to run the entire organisations. If the Boards can't be relied on to appoint the right people to the Board of the Sea Eagles then the organisations will have much bigger problems closer to home than what is going on at the Sea Eagles
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