LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Johnathan Thurston has sharply criticized the game management exhibited by Daly Cherry-Evans and the Manly Sea Eagles, which led to their loss against Newcastle after squandering a 16-0 lead.
This unexpected collapse could jeopardize Cherry-Evans' future in State of Origin.
In a match where Newcastle faced heavy booing from their fans after a lackluster first half, they remarkably surged back to secure a 26-22 victory.
Thurston, speaking on Channel 9 post-game, asserted that the "game-management" of Cherry-Evans "wasn't up to scratch." This sentiment was echoed by fellow Queensland legend Cameron Smith, who noted that Cherry-Evans, as one of the premier halves in the NRL, needed to "ice the game" for Manly.
Thurston's criticism carries weight as he serves as an assistant coach to Billy Slater for the Maroons, and many have begun advocating for Tom Dearden to take over as halfback for State of Origin 1, given Cherry-Evans' underwhelming performance in Game 1.
Although Cherry-Evans had previously shown promise against the Broncos, his performance against Newcastle was notably disappointing.
A critical moment came with 23 minutes left in the game when, after Newcastle narrowed the gap to 16-12, Cherry-Evans attempted to kick the ball into touch for a breather, only to send it out on the full.
This error handed Newcastle a prime opportunity, leading to James Schiller's try, which equalized the match at 16-16.
While Manly briefly regained the lead, the Knights ultimately triumphed in golden-point.
As the dust settles on this match, Cherry-Evans' position in Origin may be in jeopardy, especially with calls for a change in the halfback role gaining momentum.