http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/voting-panel-split-over-cherry-evans-medal/story-fnca0von-1226734345427
Voting panel split over Cherry-Evans medal
Test selector Bob McCarthy has defended the decision to award the Clive Churchill Medal to Daly Cherry-Evans but not before admitting the selection of the Manly halfback had also split the voting panel.
Cherry-Evans was a controversial choice after playing on the losing team in Sunday night's grand final and was roundly booed by Sydney Roosters supporters when he walked on stage to collect his award.
The medal, for the best player in the decider, is chosen by the Australian selectors -- McCarthy, Bob Fulton, Des Morris and Allan Smith -- with each judge receiving one vote.
McCarthy, who was at the announcement of Australia's World Cup squad yesterday, said the selectors had discussed a number of players at halftime but had settled on Cherry-Evans with about five minutes to go in the match.
The Sea Eagles No 7 was the best player in a beaten side after coming up with one try assist, two line breaks and eight tackle breaks.
"We get told to pick the best player on the ground and the best player on the ground was Cherry-Evans," McCarthy said.
"I know it didn't look all that good but that's the way it is. We're like referees. You're not going to please everyone. I can't say (whether it was unanimous). Some were (comfortable), some weren't but that's the way it is.
"That's (the boos) got nothing to do with us. That's the Roosters supporters. If they look at the game and watch it again, they'll see he was the best player on the field."
Cherry-Evans became only the third player, alongside Canberra's Bradley Clyde and St George's Brad Mackay, to be awarded the Clive Churchill Medal despite playing in the losing side.
McCarthy rejected suggestions that five-eighth James Maloney, who had a hand in most of the Roosters tries, or backrower Sonny Bill Williams, who overcame a bad start to turn the game in their favour, could have been better options.
"Who would you give it to? No one from Easts," McCarthy said.
"Would you give it to Maloney? What did he do? Twice he got caught with nothing to do and they put the ball in the air and scored a try. That wasn't skill, that was luck, and you can't give a Churchill Medal for that or for kicking four goals.
"Sonny was awful in the first half. He came good with 10 minutes to go when Manly had their two front rowers and (Anthony) Watmough off the field.
"If you're being honest, Sam Moa was probably their best player but he played 40-45 minutes but you can't give a Churchill Medal for that. You've got to give it to a bloke who played out there for 80 minutes.
"It's a big bloody thing."
Cherry-Evans was selected in Australia's 24-man squad for the six-week World Cup tournament to be played in England, Wales, Ireland and France.
Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens said he wouldn't be surprised if he pressured incumbents Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston for a spot in the starting side.
"I think over a six-week tournament, Cherry-Evans will certainly throw down the gauntlet for sure," Sheens said. "But knowing Cooper and knowing Johnathan, they'll be ready for the challenge."
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I totally agree with DCE's award - $5 @ 12 odds got my $60