To say 2015 was a difficult season for half-back Daly Cherry-Evans would be an understatement.
Following the opening round loss to Parramatta, Cherry-Evans told his team-mates he would be joining the Gold Coast Titans in 2016 on a lucrative four-year deal.
Through the NRL’s cooling off period, the Sea Eagles had until after round 13 to work on getting the outstanding number seven to stay at the club.
Cherry-Evans announced on June 3 , just days out from round 13, he had accepted a new offer from the club to be a ‘Sea Eagle for Life’, signing the biggest deal ever seen in the game.
The announcement made Cherry-Evans a vicious target from fans and sections of the media. He was later booed at games against the Brisbane Broncos and the Gold Coast.
However, Cherry-Evans showed his class and his skills when he carved up the Titans on their home ground to deliver a superb performance to lead the Sea Eagles to victory.
He then played a key hand in the Sea Eagles late charge to the finals before the team fell short.
Troubled by a nagging shoulder throughout the season, Cherry-Evans toughed it out to play 23 games for the Sea Eagles before undergoing surgery.
With his long time five-eighth partner Kieran Foran at Parramatta next season, Cherry-Evans will be the dominant half and playmaker for the Sea Eagles under new Coach Trent Barrett.
2016 could well be the season ‘DCE’ takes his game to an even higher level. The Sea Eagles are certainly glad the Qld and Australian representative will finish his playing career at the club.
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