New era: How Manly will use DCE return to showcase bright future
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The Sea Eagles are determined to use Thursday’s clash with the Roosters to put a punctuation mark on Daly Cherry-Evans' messy exit from the club as they look to enter a new era.
The Manly legend will return to 4 Pines Park for the first time as a Rooster after last year’s controversial departure.
Tuesday marks 12 months to the day since Cherry-Evans announced 2025 would be his last as a Sea Eagle, triggering weeks of off-field speculation as the team struggled on the field.
Tom Trbojevic Try
Manly are determined to come out the other side and forward Ben Trbojevic said the team is focused on moving forward rather than dwelling on the past.
"He was a great player for this club for a massive period of time but we're in a new era at Manly now," Trbojevic said. "Turbo's the captain, Jamal [Fogarty] has come in and he's been doing great.
"We're excited to go out Thursday night and put our best foot forward for the fans."
Match: Sea Eagles v Roosters
Round 4 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
11th Position
away Team
Roosters
15th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Plenty has changed on the Northern Beaches since Cherry-Evans departure.
CEO Tony Mestrov left club in the off-season and was replaced by club legend and premiership winner Jason King as the Sea Eagles seek stability off the field.
Tom Trbojevic is the new captain, while former Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty has stepped into the No.7 jersey Cherry-Evans wore for 15 years.
Results on the field remain a work in progress, with Anthony Seibold's side dropping their first two games before last week's bye.
Cherry-Evans discusses 'strange' final game for the Sea Eagles
Despite this, Tom Trbojevic remains confident the side has turned a corner.
"Jamal has been great," Trbojevic said. "He's been a great leader, he's a great person, a great talker and he steers us around.
"I'm excited for him to have another game with us this week and hopefully we can put in a performance and show everyone how hard we're working."
Amid all the talk about Cherry-Evans has been constant chatter about the future of Jake Trbojevic following a series of head knocks last season.
The former NSW skipper returned to the field in Round 1 but has faced criticism from some sections of the media over his performances.
Trbojevic is contracted to the end of this year with an option for 2027 and is reportedly set to make a call on whether to play on later in the season.
Jake Trbojevic Try
Both Ben and Tom were quick to defend their older brother, with Tom backing the lock to return his best form.
"It's a little bit disappointing that he's coming under fire," Trbojevic said. "He's really gone after the first two weeks with the way he's played especially defensively.
"A lot of people watch a game and get caught up in stats and what you need to do with the ball. But he's a good leader with us in defence and the way he links our attack together.
"I think it's unfair he's coming under criticism. The way he's gone after these first two weeks, considering he's coming off a head injury last year, it's been great. He's only going to get better this year."
