A STUNNING debut year in the NRL is not out of the question for unheralded Manly halves Trent Hodkinson and Daly Cherry-Evans, according to one of the game’s most respected talent scouts.

Manly recruitment manager Noel Cleal is convinced either Hodkinson or Cherry-Evans can blossom into established NRL players alongside Kieran Foran this year.

Cleal likens the situation to that of the Melbourne Storm in 2006 when Matt Orford left the club for Manly.

Cooper Cronk took over from Orford, going on to establish himself as one of the best young halves in the game.

Cleal is now certain either Hodkinson or Cherry-Evans can do something similar in 2010.

“No one had heard of Cooper Cronk when Matt Orford left Melbourne,” Cleal said.

“I don’t think anyone was aware of him, then all of a sudden Cooper Cronk has played in four grand finals and has played for Australia.

“We are hoping that they (Evans/Hodkinson) will gain the most they can from two of the best halfbacks the club has ever produced (Des Hasler and Geoff Toovey) and make the most of their opportunity.

“Kieran is certainly not unheralded, but the other two are.

“They have the opportunity to put their hands up and be that player to play 20 NRL games in their debut year.

“That’s what Cooper Cronk did.

“Under the coaching structure that Des has in place, there’s no reason why these guys can’t make it. The only thing stopping them is them.”

Cherry-Evans, originally from Brisbane, will be the first Manly player in 2010 to wear the No.7 jumper when the Sea Eagles Toyota Cup squad play South Sydney at Redfern Oval on Sunday night.

Of course, the trial is no indication of who will take over from Orford.

Hodkinson, a Parramatta junior, could have the inside running.

He is not part of Sunday night’s trial with the Bunnies, cooling his heels preparing for the club’s first NRL trial against Cronulla the following weekend.