Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans says it is the role of any halfback to be ready in the key moments after guiding his side to a thrilling last-second 15-14 win over Newcastle on Monday night.
"That was just a hit and hope sort of moment and fortunately for the side we got the win," Cherry-Evans told journalists after the game.
"I think any player who wears the No.7 on their back needs to take the ball in those sorts of moments. Being the No.7 for Manly I think that was in my job description."
He confessed to a few anxious moments after the ball left the boot but he says it felt good from the time he kicked it. However it nearly didn't happen, with several missed field goals taking place in the lead-up.
First his halves partner Jack Littlejohn missed with a tough chance a few minutes earlier, with Knights defenders rushing up on Cherry-Evans, then Newcastle fullback Darius Boyd missed with a more gettable shot when Manly rushed up on their first-choice field goal option Jarrod Mullen.
"[That was] probably just a lack of organisational skills from myself and not getting in position to have a genuine shot," Cherry-Evans said of Littlejohn's original attempt.
He added the win was key coming into the crucial Origin and bye period.
"Like every team at this time of the year you want to get that win tally right up there coming into the Origin period," he said.
Manly are likely to be without only Cherry-Evans and possibly back rower Anthony Watmough in action for State of Origin I on May 28.
"From what I understand we're not too heavily affected by Origin so we need to continue to play some good football and keep those wins popping out to stay in that top four," he added.
