LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Daly Cherry-Evans has expressed his intention to spend quality time with his family and teammates before addressing inquiries regarding his NRL future. Cherry-Evans concluded his time with Manly, marking his final game with a decisive field goal during a thrilling 27-26 victory over the Warriors. Despite the celebration, many fans were upset, alleging the win was aided by an illegal blocking maneuver from the Sea Eagles, along with the presence of a blue-shirt trainer on the field after the fourth tackle.
The game's turning point came when Cherry-Evans executed a left-footed field goal in the 75th minute, which secured the win at 4 Pines Park, despite a late try from Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, which brought the margin to just one point. This match was a fitting end for DCE, who finished a remarkable 352-game, 15-season career with the Sea Eagles. Post-match, he shared heartfelt moments with his wife and kids on what was an emotional farewell.
Following the match, fans took to social media, asserting that the Warriors were wronged before the crucial field goal. Observers noted that Manly prop Siosiua Taukeiaho had positioned himself as a 'blocker' during the play-the-ball, which hindered Warriors players from being able to charge down Cherry-Evans' kick. Additionally, concerns were raised about a blue-shirt trainer trespassing on the field after the fourth tackle, reportedly in violation of NRL regulations.
The controversy evoked memories of the Harry Grant incident against Penrith, where a penalty awarded to the Storm captain denied Nathan Cleary a chance at a match-winning field goal. In that scenario, referee Ashley Klein penalized Panthers prop Moses Leota for blocking, with many accusing Grant of feigning the contact. However, on this occasion, the Warriors maintained their footing, and the situation went unnoticed by referee Todd Smith and the Bunker. While there were minimal complaints from the Warriors during and after the match, a significant number of fans felt that the field goal should have been deemed invalid.
During his farewell, Cherry-Evans demonstrated flashes of his old brilliance, including a remarkable 40/20 kick that led to Lehi Hopoate's first try of the game. Following the tense victory, teammates surrounded DCE in celebration, and he took a moment on the field for an emotional goodbye to the fans.
Despite the speculation surrounding his future, particularly rumors of a potential move to the Roosters next season, Cherry-Evans skillfully avoided giving concrete answers during post-match discussions. He indicated that he would spend the upcoming days with family and teammates before ultimately revealing clarity about his future. In further comments during the press conference, he urged fans to be patient, as they await his final decision.