The Daly Cherrygraph

[Sheikheagle]

Something light-hearted to end the week if anyone's interested:

After last Saturday's captain's run, the players came along the fence for an impromptu signing of posters, photos with fans, etc. DCE signed various paraphernalia handed to him, which he found amusing (e.g. coat hanger, wheel brace, etc)

The guy next to me asked DCE to sign his arm as he was going to get a tattoo of his initials. DCE steps back and says (something along the lines of) "hang on, I don't think this is a good idea, you need to carefully think about it." The guy begs him to and, after much toing and froing, eventually DCE signs his initials. Then the guy says "but wait, you haven't signed the 'D' properly, can you please fix it?". DCE had moved on and turns back to him and replies "no, I did that on purpose as I don't think you should get the tattoo".

I thought at the time that DCE was advising him to be careful about going ahead with a tattoo, but in hindsight I think he was advising him not to as he knew he was about to announce he's going and the guy mightn't have been so keen on a tattoo had he known this. The things that happen...

Thats brilliant

 

[TJ55]

It's interesting that this post popped up at a time when I, myself, was reflecting on his footballing prowess. For the record, I agree that DCE was successful in 2011 off the back of the 'team' he was in. I agree with Bozo that he was one of our best on the day, but that opportunity was afforded to him by the incredible work of a genuine 'team'.

In terms of his game stagnating in the last few years, I have to disagree. Personally, I think he is in career best form in all aspects, with the exception of a running game that fizzled out almost 10 years ago. The first 3-4 seasons of Daly's career, he was a lethal running threat; certainly faster than the average halfback and deceptively strong. He could take on the line and torch opposition defences. Then, overnight, it disappeared. Why? I don't know. He's still pretty quick across the ground, but it's almost like he no longer sees the opportunities and/or protects his body. It's probably why he is still running around at 36 years of age.

There were some difficult seasons for Daly (2015, 2016, 2018, 2020 stand out as the worst) and they all coincide with the lack of a genuine foil at 6, or in 2015's case, a contract saga for both himself and his foil in Kieran Foran). Under Seibs, he has probably played his best football. His work on our right edge with Olakau'atu, Tom out the back and Saab on the end of things, has been exceptional. He's been winning us games off the back of field goals and his kicking game is the best and most controlled it's ever been.

But...

In all of that, we've won 3 finals games since DCE took the reigns as captain and chief playmaker. Is that all his fault? Of course not, but he is certainly responsible for some of it. In big games and tight contests, I have seen him struggle to have an impact. Last year's final against the Chooks is a good example. We were in the game and pressing at one point in the second half and had a number of sets on the Roosters line and he couldn't find a way to get it done. We didn't look like scoring. He didn't look like he had a plan. That brings me to Daly's biggest weakness. He is a bit of a flat track bully. Not the worst of them but there's a touch of it in his game. When the going is good, he is unstoppable. When the going gets tough, he tries, but is largely ineffective. Sure, he'll kick a field goal in a tight contest, but they're often in round games against average opposition, to steal victory after a pretty poor performance. Whereas the likes of Cronk, Thurston, Cleary, and Johns, would come up with a try in the heat of a finals battle against quality opposition.

Anyway, I still think DCE is terrific player, in spite of his questionable moral code, but if there's one weakness in his game, it's the low % stuff that wins big games against quality opposition. I hope whoever steps up in the coming years, can be a big game player...but they're bloody hard to find!

He is still in fantastic form, and when it comes to the crunch he has proven his worth. That final last year when you played the Dogs his experience and performance is what got Manly over the line. That's where an elite half shines and where we lacked hence why he has such a big price tag. The half's available and people mentioned like Jamal Fogarty are no where near as good as DCE, we have all seen Luke Brooks alongside non elite half's and he is nothing to write home about. I've said this for years when DCE goes the Eagles will go through a rebuild phase. It's bound to happen after a cycle when you have players from the Golden era carrying the team

 

[BOZO]

He is still in fantastic form, and when it comes to the crunch he has proven his worth. That final last year when you played the Dogs his experience and performance is what got Manly over the line. That's where an elite half shines and where we lacked hence why he has such a big price tag. The half's available and people mentioned like Jamal Fogarty are no where near as good as DCE, we have all seen Luke Brooks alongside non elite half's and he is nothing to write home about. I've said this for years when DCE goes the Eagles will go through a rebuild phase. It's bound to happen after a cycle when you have players from the Golden era carrying the team

Great posts feathered friend
You have earned your Wings with that post !

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I think over the last few years there's been a real stagnation to Daly's game. The nrl see him as one of the best, but Manly needed a new cog.

A decade of allowing him to play fancy and safely is indeed a debt he owes manly

Anyway, I still think DCE is terrific player, in spite of his questionable moral code, but if there's one weakness in his game, it's the low % stuff that wins big games against quality opposition.

DCE has some sublime talents, which are what I've always tended to dwell on when contemplating a Manly future without him.

Little things like the jink to his right at the start of the Cows game giving Haumole a one-on-one and producing a try. Some of his passes to set Saab away. Always being in position to back up a break.

And kicking. Any new young half is going to do some dud kicks whereas DCE's kicking game has become so reliable.

And while I've always disputed James's assertions that he plays to protect himself, I do agree he doesn't take the safe 'game managing' options and at times that has really cost us.

All up, a brilliant player and as Mestrov said, irreplaceable. But I too now look forward to something different and a new era.

ps no concern at all that he won't try his hardest for Manly this year... but the captaincy?? still the face of Manly?? will be interesting to see how that plays out.

 

[TJ55]

Great posts feathered friend
You have earned your Wings with that post !

Cheers Bozo, I give credit where it is due and despite people opinions on him I am sitting back and waiting for the "truth to come out".
What i find most intriguing is i was hanging out with a few prominent Manly players and I asked them how long Chez has left and they glowingly responded with 2 years easy,and were confident in their answers. This was maybe 2-3 months ago. Maybe something has happened since then, who knows but I don't see him putting in nothing but 100% come game day.

 

[BOZO]

ps no concern at all that he won't try his hardest for Manly this year... but the captaincy?? still the face of Manly?? will be interesting to see how that plays out.

Would Stripping the Skipper of his Title be advantageous to the team winning a Title ?

 

[globaleagle]

DCE has some sublime talents, which are what I've always tended to dwell on when contemplating a Manly future without him.

Little things like the jink to his right at the start of the Cows game giving Haumole a one-on-one and producing a try. Some of his passes to set Saab away. Always being in position to back up a break.

And kicking. Any new young half is going to do some dud kicks whereas DCE's kicking game has become so reliable.

And while I've always disputed James's assertions that he plays to protect himself, I do agree he doesn't take the safe 'game managing' options and at times that has really cost us.

All up, a brilliant player and as Mestrov said, irreplaceable. But I too now look forward to something different and a new era.

ps no concern at all that he won't try his hardest for Manly this year... but the captaincy?? still the face of Manly?? will be interesting to see how that plays out.

Maybe I just wanna change (and a premiership). I dunno.

🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

 

[globaleagle]

Cheers Bozo, I give credit where it is due and despite people opinions on him I am sitting back and waiting for the "truth to come out".
What i find most intriguing is i was hanging out with a few prominent Manly players and I asked them how long Chez has left and they glowingly responded with 2 years easy,and were confident in their answers. This was maybe 2-3 months ago. Maybe something has happened since then, who knows but I don't see him putting in nothing but 100% come game day.

I've found that sports people (and media peeps) can easily give b/s answers to "Joe Public" without batting an eyelid.

Maybe they were doing that, lol.

ps - thanks for the 'Beau' pics the other day. Appreciated.

 

[TJ55]

I've found that sports people (and media peeps) can easily give b/s answers to "Joe Public" without batting an eyelid.

Maybe they were doing that, lol.

ps - thanks for the 'Beau' pics the other day. Appreciated.

Perhaps, I would agree they certainly can but i know insiders at the club and some players too well to believe they wouldn't just make that up but they would be bound to confidentiality to some degree. @Mark from Brisbane was so confident he was going to Canterbury that i was going to offer him a personally signed jersey from Cliffy if I was wrong 😉
And no worries re Beau pics, one of the most touching stories I've seen in recent years.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Perspective is a wonderful thing

1. State of Origin series is widely considered the highest-rated event in NRL

2.The State of Origin is regularly described as the pinnacle of rugby league, even surpassing international competitions

SOO is the Melbourne Cup of Rugby League. One day and/or three days of the year, people that do not care about the sport, suddenly take an interest. It's not even close to the being the pinnacle of rugby league for people that love the game. It's a cash cow for the governing body and a popular narrative for the media. Really, it's little more than a joke, like DCE's performance on 100% Sport on Monday night.

 

[LeonardCohen]

DCE has some sublime talents, which are what I've always tended to dwell on when contemplating a Manly future without him.

Little things like the jink to his right at the start of the Cows game giving Haumole a one-on-one and producing a try. Some of his passes to set Saab away. Always being in position to back up a break.

And kicking. Any new young half is going to do some dud kicks whereas DCE's kicking game has become so reliable.

And while I've always disputed James's assertions that he plays to protect himself, I do agree he doesn't take the safe 'game managing' options and at times that has really cost us.

All up, a brilliant player and as Mestrov said, irreplaceable. But I too now look forward to something different and a new era.

ps no concern at all that he won't try his hardest for Manly this year... but the captaincy?? still the face of Manly?? will be interesting to see how that plays out.

I don't think playing to protect himself is necessarily a knock on Daly anyway. It's not really his job to get bashed and if it's meant we've been able to get 330+ games out of it, then great.

 

[LeonardCohen]

when it comes to the crunch he has proven his worth. That final last year when you played the Dogs his experience and performance is what got Manly over the line.

Yes and no. If he'd proven his worth, we'd have played and won more big games over the years. The Dogs were the better side that day and their inexperience cost them as much as DCE's experience saved us. He had a fine game but it was 6 vs 7 in the first week of the finals. Where was that game the following week against the Chooks?

I have to be measured with my opinions though...I've turned on him in the last few days 🙂

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Perhaps, I would agree they certainly can but i know insiders at the club and some players too well to believe they wouldn't just make that up but they would be bound to confidentiality to some degree. @Mark from Brisbane was so confident he was going to Canterbury that i was going to offer him a personally signed jersey from Cliffy if I was wrong 😉
And no worries re Beau pics, one of the most touching stories I've seen in recent years.

No no no , I wasn’t confident at all , if you read my posts over the last week I keep saying it’s the Roosters , however what I did say was “ the only other rich , money doesn’t matter , Sydney club is the Bulldogs , which would be a possible option “.

 

[Peter C]

Yeah plenty of taken pay cuts as they enter the twilight of their careers. But not our money hungry club captain. I have constantly defended his character in the past, what a fool i have been.

DCE has some sublime talents, which are what I've always tended to dwell on when contemplating a Manly future without him.

Little things like the jink to his right at the start of the Cows game giving Haumole a one-on-one and producing a try. Some of his passes to set Saab away. Always being in position to back up a break.

And kicking. Any new young half is going to do some dud kicks whereas DCE's kicking game has become so reliable.

And while I've always disputed James's assertions that he plays to protect himself, I do agree he doesn't take the safe 'game managing' options and at times that has really cost us.

All up, a brilliant player and as Mestrov said, irreplaceable. But I too now look forward to something different and a new era.

ps no concern at all that he won't try his hardest for Manly this year... but the captaincy?? still the face of Manly?? will be interesting to see how that plays out.

it would be a backward step to strip him of the captaincy and not a good PR look, what's done is done, our relationship with DCE will finish this year, we can't squander our season so early as there is still a lot of life in our chances for this year, especially when you see how some of the finalists from last year are going.
It's basically like a relationship break and trying to work out who's to blame, who's right and who's wrong, and as usual there are several sides to this story depending who you listen to.

 

[The better Robbo]

First post back on here for a few years. I wanted to check what the consensus was with DCE...
In my opinion, its a decision that works in our favour. We desperately need another prop, backrower and a hooker. Our squad is still off balance. It's harsh but I'd also be moving on from Croker in some kind of a reset to our squad. DCE at 37 next year with our current squad would not win a premiership, and without Paseka this year, I feel the ship has sailed this year.
Fogarty and Reynolds could both plug a hole for a year or 2 until Walsh and Large are ready but we won't win a comp unless we address the shortage of forwards and a quality #9.
Against popular opinion, I'd be getting Lodge back in our squad asap to replace Paseka. Without both of them, we just don't have enough punch up front to compete at the business end of the season.

Walsh looks a gun and so does Large, although I'm not sure Large is a playmaker (as yet) he has a way to go as a half. He looks a wealth of talent but I'm not sure as a half. Walsh looks like he could be anything in the future and I'd be doing all we can to ensure his progress into NRL in the next couple years and should be a 10 year Manly half.

 

[Peter C]

SOO? Yawn...

I'm with you Leonard, I could tolerate it if it was only one game, done and dusted, but three over several months along with the media circus has made it unbearable.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

First post back on here for a few years. I wanted to check what the consensus was with DCE...
In my opinion, its a decision that works in our favour. We desperately need another prop, backrower and a hooker. Our squad is still off balance. It's harsh but I'd also be moving on from Croker in some kind of a reset to our squad. DCE at 37 next year with our current squad would not win a premiership, and without Paseka this year, I feel the ship has sailed this year.
Fogarty and Reynolds could both plug a hole for a year or 2 until Walsh and Large are ready but we won't win a comp unless we address the shortage of forwards and a quality #9.
Against popular opinion, I'd be getting Lodge back in our squad asap to replace Paseka. Without both of them, we just don't have enough punch up front to compete at the business end of the season.

Walsh looks a gun and so does Large, although I'm not sure Large is a playmaker (as yet) he has a way to go as a half. He looks a wealth of talent but I'm not sure as a half. Walsh looks like he could be anything in the future and I'd be doing all we can to ensure his progress into NRL in the next couple years and should be a 10 year Manly half.

and welcome back!

 

[Sheikheagle]

First post back on here for a few years. I wanted to check what the consensus was with DCE...
In my opinion, its a decision that works in our favour. We desperately need another prop, backrower and a hooker. Our squad is still off balance. It's harsh but I'd also be moving on from Croker in some kind of a reset to our squad. DCE at 37 next year with our current squad would not win a premiership, and without Paseka this year, I feel the ship has sailed this year.
Fogarty and Reynolds could both plug a hole for a year or 2 until Walsh and Large are ready but we won't win a comp unless we address the shortage of forwards and a quality #9.
Against popular opinion, I'd be getting Lodge back in our squad asap to replace Paseka. Without both of them, we just don't have enough punch up front to compete at the business end of the season.

Walsh looks a gun and so does Large, although I'm not sure Large is a playmaker (as yet) he has a way to go as a half. He looks a wealth of talent but I'm not sure as a half. Walsh looks like he could be anything in the future and I'd be doing all we can to ensure his progress into NRL in the next couple years and should be a 10 year Manly half.

Yeah welcome back and great post. Lodge i think is a must with paseka gone. Surely we can squeeze him in before round 11 when he is currently available.

 

[swoop]

He's held the club for ransom for years. He's not a team player, he's a money hungry Kunt that has seen multiple great players leave because he refused any type of salary cut.

Just maybe we could have won more premierships had those players not been forced to leave.

I'm glad to see the back of him and in my eyes he won't be seen as a Manly legend.

It's all about the money.

Hopefully the club has taken any coaching job at Manly off the table.

I never want to see him or the dog in any offial job at MANLY.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I never want to see him or the dog in any offial job at MANLY.

Fair enough for DCE, but what's his dog ever done?