https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...s/news-story/233117f4774886cc7979d25b8e814d4c
DALY Cherry-Evans has paid Manly Test forward Jake Trbojevic the ultimate praise by comparing him to 2011 Clive Churchill medallist, Glenn Stewart.
Yet despite being friendless in TAB premiership markets and written off to miss the top eight by the majority of experts, Cherry-Evans said the skill-set similarities between Stewart and Trbojevic would prove crucial to the club’s internal push to silence the doubters.
“100 per cent we’ll be using Jake more this year,’’ Cherry-Evans said.
“He’s hands-down the most talented lock in the competition when it comes to ball-playing.
Cherry-Evans’ glowing endorsement of Trbojevic — following his World Cup victory with Australia last year — was in reference to how the Sea Eagles will cope without an established five-eighth, in rookie half Lachlan Croker.
“The combination that is growing with his (Jake) brother (Tom) and the other forwards is really special to watch,’’ Cherry-Evans said.
“With a young fella (Croker) coming in, there seems to be a perception on me that the expectation on me has to go through the roof for some reason,’’ Cherry-Evans said.
“I think people might get a little shocked in round one when they notice I’m not running the show. Lachie is extremely enthusiastic and is champing at the bit for an opportunity, that’s a great thing to have in your side.
As for a first-up road-trip to tackle a new-look Newcastle, Cherry-Evans said: “The fact that no one is talking about us is gold,
we’re just flying under the radar.