DCE eyeing slice of history in fairytale finale
- Author
- Timestamp
Roosters playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans has opened up on his evolution as a player and a person as he looks to cap a fairytale farewell to the NRL.
The veteran will play his final game in the competition in Sunday's grand final, 15 years after he led Manly to the premiership in his rookie season.
Cherry-Evans was back in a decider two years later, winning the Clive Churchill Medal as his Sea Eagles went down to the Roosters.
Sign up for a free NRL Account to access this video and other exclusive content.
Sign UpAlready have an NRL Account?
Not sure? Learn more about an NRL Account .
It's been 13 years since he's played in a grand final and plenty has changed for the playmaker as he eyes a fairytale farewell before joining Hull FC next season.
"If you look at anyone who's 22 years old and fast forward to them as a 37-year-old, things change," Cherry-Evans said. "I'm a husband and a father now. I'm sure there are some mannerisms that have held true with my footy.
"I'm obviously more mature, so I have a better understanding of what the team needs. I was very instinctive as a young player coming through the grades. I didn't have a lot of structure around me; not that it wasn't getting coached into me, but my style of play and personality was just playing what I see.
"Over time I've become a halfback. For a long time I was a five-eighth wearing a number seven, and right now I'm probably a halfback wearing a number six."
Match: Roosters v Knights
Grand Final -
home Team
Roosters
4th Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Cherry-Evans took the NRL by storm in his rookie season and quickly developed into one of the best playmakers in the game.
While he now concedes he was a five-eighth playing in the No.7 jumper, he eventually developed into a ball-playing halfback with a dynamic running game and one of the best kicking boots in the business.
Representative honours quickly followed, Cherry-Evans making his Kangaroos debut just weeks after winning the 2011 grand final.
Daly Cherry-Evans celebrates milestone game in style
A maiden State of Origin appearance for Queensland followed in 2013 and he went on to captain his state while becoming the oldest player to feature in the interstate series.
The 2013 grand final, however, was the last time Cherry-Evans has featured on the first Sunday in October, with club success proving elusive.
The veteran acknowledges he eventually came to appreciate how tough it is to play for a premiership and is determined to make the most of one last shot at glory.
"Probably around year six to year 10 I started to realise how difficult it was to make finals, let alone a grand final," Cherry-Evans said.
"There were a couple of lean years there and it gives you a really strong appreciation for the times you do get to play in a finals series. It's definitely not lost on me how lucky I am to be playing in the grand final this weekend."
Cherry-Evans became the youngest halfback to win a premiership in the NRL era when he led Manly to glory in 2011 as a 22-year-old.
A win on Sunday will make him the oldest player in the NRL era to prevail in a grand final, eclipsing Cam Smith's record set in 2020. He will also be the oldest premiership winner since North Sydney's George Green won in 1922 as a 38-year-old.
Cherry-Evans will also set a new record for longest gap between premierships, surpassing Lote Tuqiri's mark of 14 years.
Cherry-Evans puts the Roosters in front
The retired winger won titles with the Broncos in 2000 and Rabbitohs in 2014 and has watched on in awe as his fellow Queenslander has continued to play at an elite level for longer than most anticipated.
While he could lose his own slice of rugby league history, Tuqiri is hopeful Cherry-Evans can get over the line on Sunday night.
"He's done unbelievably well to still be playing," Tuqiri told NRL.com. "It's the week to week grind and the training that gets you more than the games. It's easy to turn up for the game but it's a long season.
"The fact he's done it in that position and done amazingly well is very impressive. I hope he gets it, they should get it, they are the favourites going into the game.
"The weekly grind makes it so hard to do what he's done. The Roosters and Sea Eagles have looked after him in his later years. He's got that senior citizens card. When you know how to look after yourself and the body, you don't have to work as hard because mentally you know what to expect. He's done a great job, I hope he does break the record."
There is some poetry in the fact Cherry-Evans' final appearance will come for the club that last dashed his premiership dream.
Two tries just after half-time handed Manly an 18-8 lead over the Roosters before Sonny Bill Williams took control of the game and swung it in the Tricolours' favour.
The match will always hold a weird place in Cherry-Evans' heart, given his side lost but he was handed the Clive Churchill Medal.
NRL Classic: Roosters v Sea Eagles - Grand Final, 2013
Many Roosters fans at the ground voiced their displeasure with the decision but 13 years on those same supporters who have embraced the playmaker this season.
Having given the fans plenty to celebrate in 2026, Cherry-Evans is determined to go out on a high on Sunday night.
"I said it back [in 2013], it was a very bittersweet moment," Cherry-Evans said. "I'm so proud to have a small part of the game's history. I would have swapped that medal back for a premiership ring that night in a heartbeat and still would.
"But here I am with a chance to become part of the Roosters history books in a good way."
After 4 weeks of thrilling finals, it all comes down to this. One play can define a season. These are the moments that matter. Don't miss a second of the action with kick-off at 7.30pm Sunday night live on Nine, 9Now and Sky Sports NZ.
