The Daly Cherrygraph

[HappilyManly]

Manly Daily 2018-07-14

DALY’S TRIUMPH
Sea Eagles coach praises his skipper for stunning return to Origin

Jon Geddes

SEA Eagles coach Trent Barrett said halfback Daly Cherry-Evans buried a few demons with his triumphant return to the Origin arena with Queensland on Wednesday night.

But he said a final decision had to be made on whether the Manly skipper and his halves partner Dylan Walker would play in today’s big grudge match against archrivals the Melbourne Storm at Lottoland.

No player had faced more pressure heading into an Origin game than Cherry-Evans last Wednesday, recalled to the Queensland side after three years in the wilderness while having his personality publicly dissected by all and sundry.

“We always had a feeling he would get in there and play well and he has deserved his chance,” Barrett said.

“I was really happy for him, I thought he controlled the game really well and came up with some big plays at the right time, particularly with his kicking.”

Asked if Cherry-Evans had buried a few demons and silenced a few critics Barrett replied: “Yes definitely.

“I think his form last year probably warranted him being looked at pretty closely and he took the opportunity with both hands.

“It’s taken him a while to get back in there and has worked really hard to get himself back into that position.”

Barrett said he certainly didn’t let anyone down.

“I’d be surprised if he wasn’t there for game one next year,” he said.

“Given what he has been through, and even a few things this year, to come out and play like he did is a credit to him.”

Barrett was also proud of the performances of his players Jake and Tom Trbojevic who were among the Blues best throughout.

“I thought the Trbojevic boys were really good as well,” he said.

Barrett agreed with the sentiment from NSW coach Brad Fittler that Tom Trbojevic was one of best players over the three games.

He thought given NSW had won the series that they would also have had the man of the series.

“And Tom certainly would have been in the picture there for sure,” Barrett said

But controversially it was awarded to retiring Queensland fullback Billy Slater.

Barrett said the Trbojevic brothers would be right to back up today.

While he expected Cherry-Evans to play it was unlikely Walker would have recovered from a knee injury in time to take the field.

That would mean no rematch with Storm centre Curtis Scott who fractured Walker’s eye socket the last time they met.

And Barrett is hoping for another fiery match this evening against the Storm.

“I enjoyed the last few clashes that we have had with Melbourne and there is a lot of history between the two clubs,” he said.

Slater is one of the Storm’s Origin players set to miss this evening’s game which kicks off at 5.30pm.

“We’re pretty sure Billy won’t be playing but we’ll check on the rest of them,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I hope the Origin experience fires up DCE big time , he and Tommy will be fine but can’t see Jake going 80 minutes!!

 

[manlyfan76]

So who gets the Australian number seven gig now?
DCE probably had the best origin performance of all the halfbacks.

Interesting time.

 

[Briza]

So who gets the Australian number seven gig now?
DCE probably had the best origin performance of all the halfbacks.

Interesting time.

Meninga said DCE if he and Manly play well over the coming weeks.

https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/07/14...-the-frame-for-australian-recall-mal-meninga/

 

[jbb/james]

Generally they prefer to pick players that are in finals for the kangaroos so they havnt been absent from footy for 6 or 8 weeks. In Saying that meninga is coach so i expect there will be 14 queenslanders and 3 blues player in the team.

Because of the process and its integrity

Besides cherry was second in line for man of the series only being pipped by slater

 

[lurker]

How good was he today! Anyone that thinks Ben hunt should be the maroons halfback is an idiot. The difference in their ability in clutch situations is summed up by the fact that they’re both 29 and hunt has never in his career kicked a field goal while chez has now kicked 18.

I can remember him winning at least 3 games off the left foot too. He’s a freak at the field goal.

 

[ALinda]

How good was he today! Anyone that thinks Ben hunt should be the maroons halfback is an idiot. The difference in their ability in clutch situations is summed up by the fact that they’re both 29 and hunt has never in his career kicked a field goal while chez has now kicked 18.

I can remember him winning at least 3 games off the left foot too. He’s a freak at the field goal.

He was very good! I just wish he played like that a bit more often. It also begs the question why was he so good today?

As for comparing him with Hunt for Maroons halfback, imo Cherry wins hands down, not only based on his field goalkicking, but his composure under pressure to win games vs Hunt who has none. Given the choice, I'd feel heaps more confident with Cherry at halfback.

 

[HoldenV8]

The DCE that we saw at Endeavour today was close to the DCE who should have won MoM in the third Origin game.

Not a bad performance considering that he is basically our only play maker. No offence to Walks who is wearing the #6.....but we are playing with one half and three centres.

Just wish we saw a lot more of that. But being the only real play maker does make it hard because its easier to shut us down by limiting his options. I mean, even Thurston could only do so much at the Cows before they got players there to help him.

 

[40 years an eagle]

He was very good! I just wish he played like that a bit more often. It also begs the question why was he so good today?

As for comparing him with Hunt for Maroons halfback, imo Cherry wins hands down, not only based on his field goalkicking, but his composure under pressure to win games vs Hunt who has none. Given the choice, I'd feel heaps more confident with Cherry at halfback.

Hunt vs DCE? Yep, no contest ALinda, chalk and cheese. Hunt has FAR too many poor kicks and other play choices in his game, especially for big matches.

It's DCE v Cleary and I think Cleary will be chosen but is the wrong call. We will see.

 

[40 years an eagle]

Manly Daily 2018-07-14

DALY’S TRIUMPH
Sea Eagles coach praises his skipper for stunning return to Origin

Jon Geddes

SEA Eagles coach Trent Barrett said halfback Daly Cherry-Evans buried a few demons with his triumphant return to the Origin arena with Queensland on Wednesday night.

But he said a final decision had to be made on whether the Manly skipper and his halves partner Dylan Walker would play in today’s big grudge match against archrivals the Melbourne Storm at Lottoland.

No player had faced more pressure heading into an Origin game than Cherry-Evans last Wednesday, recalled to the Queensland side after three years in the wilderness while having his personality publicly dissected by all and sundry.

“We always had a feeling he would get in there and play well and he has deserved his chance,” Barrett said.

“I was really happy for him, I thought he controlled the game really well and came up with some big plays at the right time, particularly with his kicking.”

Asked if Cherry-Evans had buried a few demons and silenced a few critics Barrett replied: “Yes definitely.

“I think his form last year probably warranted him being looked at pretty closely and he took the opportunity with both hands.

“It’s taken him a while to get back in there and has worked really hard to get himself back into that position.”

Barrett said he certainly didn’t let anyone down.

“I’d be surprised if he wasn’t there for game one next year,” he said.

“Given what he has been through, and even a few things this year, to come out and play like he did is a credit to him.”

Barrett was also proud of the performances of his players Jake and Tom Trbojevic who were among the Blues best throughout.

“I thought the Trbojevic boys were really good as well,” he said.

Barrett agreed with the sentiment from NSW coach Brad Fittler that Tom Trbojevic was one of best players over the three games.

He thought given NSW had won the series that they would also have had the man of the series.

“And Tom certainly would have been in the picture there for sure,” Barrett said

But controversially it was awarded to retiring Queensland fullback Billy Slater.

Barrett said the Trbojevic brothers would be right to back up today.

While he expected Cherry-Evans to play it was unlikely Walker would have recovered from a knee injury in time to take the field.

That would mean no rematch with Storm centre Curtis Scott who fractured Walker’s eye socket the last time they met.

And Barrett is hoping for another fiery match this evening against the Storm.

“I enjoyed the last few clashes that we have had with Melbourne and there is a lot of history between the two clubs,” he said.

Slater is one of the Storm’s Origin players set to miss this evening’s game which kicks off at 5.30pm.

“We’re pretty sure Billy won’t be playing but we’ll check on the rest of them,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said.

You're good mate! BOZO should sign you up for his T Wright campaign.

 

[globaleagle]

How good was he today! Anyone that thinks Ben hunt should be the maroons halfback is an idiot. The difference in their ability in clutch situations is summed up by the fact that they’re both 29 and hunt has never in his career kicked a field goal while chez has now kicked 18.

I can remember him winning at least 3 games off the left foot too. He’s a freak at the field goal.

Ben Hunt says he doesn't have to kick field goals as he gets the team that far in front they aren't necessary.


Then his alarm went off.

 

[HappilyManly]

He was very good! I just wish he played like that a bit more often. It also begs the question why was he so good today?
As for comparing him with Hunt for Maroons halfback, imo Cherry wins hands down, not only based on his field goalkicking, but his composure under pressure to win games vs Hunt who has none. Given the choice, I'd feel heaps more confident with Cherry at halfback.

Because Chez is playing all year without a 5/8 and most of the year with an NYC hooker.😕

Today all the pack hit 100m+ to give us field position.

Hopefully Manly buy a halves partner for Chez next year as Croker missed out on game time to hone his skills 😎

https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/08/05...eagles-golden-point-win-over-cronulla-sharks/

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

With the great field goal effort his play beforehand has been forgotten

The cutout ball to Taufua in golden point was top shelf, saw the space outside Kelly and the ball was pinpoint and Taufua and Kelly both took the smart options from there to set us up

 

[Paw93]

The DCE that we saw at Endeavour today was close to the DCE who should have won MoM in the third Origin game.

Not a bad performance considering that he is basically our only play maker. No offence to Walks who is wearing the #6.....but we are playing with one half and three centres.

Just wish we saw a lot more of that. But being the only real play maker does make it hard because its easier to shut us down by limiting his options. I mean, even Thurston could only do so much at the Cows before they got players there to help him.

I think Walker has been great in his second coming at 5/8. He played a roving, Munster-like role where he brings pace and footwork close to the line and has a decent short kick in him as well. Chez has evolved this season and needs to be the dominant half. When Hodko played at 5/8, they were both trying to dominate the kicking and it showed in their lack of cohesion.

 

[HoldenV8]

@Paw93 ... mate, I just see it differently.

I see Walks still playing like a centre, though he did put up a bomb yesterday which he normally won't do with the #3 on his back. Not that its such a bad thing because the best thing Walks can do is play his normal game and try not to suddenly be a ball playing, play making genius.

In the limited time we've used DCE and Hodko as a halves pair....for the most part our dummy halves were Lewis Brown and Matt Wright. They only had about 15 minutes together with Api at hooker in the Warriors game in Christchurch before he got injured (during which time we went 8-0 up and were looking good), while they have never started or had even close to a full game together with Fainu at dummy half.

Its amazing what a lot better quality passing from dummy half can do for a side, especially a halves pairing and a new pairing at that. But Barrett has never given them a chance.

 

[Chip and Chase]

With the great field goal effort his play beforehand has been forgotten

The cutout ball to Taufua in golden point was top shelf, saw the space outside Kelly and the ball was pinpoint and Taufua and Kelly both took the smart options from there to set us up

Mate he owed us after the clusterf*&k they made of the previous set of six down the Sharks end when they couldn't organise themselves to get a shot at field goal despite having 6 tackles and prime position. It was keystone cops

 

[Paw93]

@Paw93 ... mate, I just see it differently.

I see Walks still playing like a centre, though he did put up a bomb yesterday which he normally won't do with the #3 on his back. Not that its such a bad thing because the best thing Walks can do is play his normal game and try not to suddenly be a ball playing, play making genius.

In the limited time we've used DCE and Hodko as a halves pair....for the most part our dummy halves were Lewis Brown and Matt Wright. They only had about 15 minutes together with Api at hooker in the Warriors game in Christchurch before he got injured (during which time we went 8-0 up and were looking good), while they have never started or had even close to a full game together with Fainu at dummy half.

Its amazing what a lot better quality passing from dummy half can do for a side, especially a halves pairing and a new pairing at that. But Barrett has never given them a chance.

Fair point regarding the dummy half service for Hodko and DCE during the games they played together. Based on what I've seen of DCE playing with a running 5/8 this year, I think he's developing good game management skills. It worked very well with Munster in origin so I don't see why it can't work with Walker. Yes it failed in 2016 but Chez wasn't the same player he is today.

Having said that, as you've said, we've yet to see him and Hodko with a quality hooker and we've only seen DCE/Walker mark 2 for about 4 games this year where you could say the opposition haven't played to the best of their abilities. I do think that if this side can put in for 80 minutes and do it week on week, then we've got a side that can achieve almost anything. Excited to see the side next year.

 

[HoldenV8]

Fair point regarding the dummy half service for Hodko and DCE during the games they played together. Based on what I've seen of DCE playing with a running 5/8 this year, I think he's developing good game management skills. It worked very well with Munster in origin so I don't see why it can't work with Walker. Yes it failed in 2016 but Chez wasn't the same player he is today.

Having said that, as you've said, we've yet to see him and Hodko with a quality hooker and we've only seen DCE/Walker mark 2 for about 4 games this year where you could say the opposition haven't played to the best of their abilities. I do think that if this side can put in for 80 minutes and do it week on week, then we've got a side that can achieve almost anything. Excited to see the side next year.

That has been one of the pleasing things about DCE in the past couple of months. He's finally starting to get the hang of actually running the side out there which is something that he failed to do for a long time. We all saw how good he can do it when he played for Qld, and yesterday was about as close I have seen him come to replicating that sort of game play with Manly.

Next year will be interesting. Even before we start talking possible (if any) recruits, we do have the makings of a good team. I wonder though, is Walker seen as a long term 5/8 or is this just something we seem to be doing out of necessity right now? And where does it leave Hodkinson? Api should be back at worst for round 1 next year and he'll no doubt be the starting hooker, but Finau might have done enough to make him the bench hooker / utility (depending on the outcome of his court case I guess).

I still think our best side should see Walks in the centres and Hodko organising in the halves with Cherry as a running player. Otherwise, Hodko might well end up playing mostly NSW Cup in 2019, especially if Barrett is still coach and someone like Jade Anderson comes along as a winger.

Thank God I am not an NRL coach. Who needs that sort of stress?

 

[Bearfax]

Fair point regarding the dummy half service for Hodko and DCE during the games they played together. Based on what I've seen of DCE playing with a running 5/8 this year, I think he's developing good game management skills. It worked very well with Munster in origin so I don't see why it can't work with Walker. Yes it failed in 2016 but Chez wasn't the same player he is today.

Having said that, as you've said, we've yet to see him and Hodko with a quality hooker and we've only seen DCE/Walker mark 2 for about 4 games this year where you could say the opposition haven't played to the best of their abilities. I do think that if this side can put in for 80 minutes and do it week on week, then we've got a side that can achieve almost anything. Excited to see the side next year.

I'd like to see Kelly at 5/8 and Walker and Tom Wright in the centres. To me Kelly looks like a 5/8 playing centre and Walker a centre playing 5/8. I think the positions they are now playing actually weakens their effectiveness, despite the good job both are doing at present. But Barrett will probably ignore that suggestion because it appears he doesnt like being told where he is going wrong.

For example I think Barrett has shunted Tom Wright unfairly. He gave Croker half a season at 5/8, despite Croker's lack of effectiveness in the role. Wright has played no worse yet is shown the door after two full matches. It makes me wonder if Barrett is not only myopic but prideful. I wonder if he reads these forums because when the majority of us push for a player to be given a go, he resists. Yet if he has made the decision for himself he will give the player enormous latitude. That works for players like Kelly, Lane, Api, Sironen, AFB, who have generally improved. But it doesn't for players like Croker, Parker, Suli, Brown, M. Wright even Uate this year.

I credit Barrett in bringing some players along, but he seems to dig his heals in, when criticism of these other players are made. I wonder with Hastings whether there was really such a bad problem deserving exile, or was it that supporters kept at Barrett to play him, especially when we saw he added spark when he played, but he didn't like being told what he should do and gave the kid no opportunities. I would be a little annoyed if that was happening to me. I really hope I am over reading this but it seems to fit. Same seems to be happening to Tom Wright. He's been virtually stigmatised/scape goated for Manly's performance two weeks ago to the point where he is not even named in the reserve group. Tom Wright to me is a confidence player. If the boss doesn't have confidence in you, you're not going to perform to your best. Barrett shows favour only to those he selects and not to those he feels he is forced to promote. If I am right, he's got a lot to learn about people management.

 

[Cliffy's Jockstrap]

With Fainu playing well and (my opinion) growing into the hooker role, I wonder is there any case to make for putting Api into 5/8 or Half? (Has played in the halves in the past, and looked OK doing it).