Half-backs are known for their cheekiness. Manly’s top gun Daly Cherry-Evans showed that post match after producing a magical left foot field goal to sink the Warriors in Golden Point at nib Stadium today.
Asked how many field goals would he get over with his left foot from the same spot at training, Cherry-Evans joked ‘Nine’, bringing a roar of laughter and smiles from the Perth media who had moments earlier witnessed the thrilling 15-14 win by the Sea Eagles.
“That was very exciting. I haven’t been involved in too many Golden Point games, so it was good to get a win,’’ Cherry-Evans said.
“The first one off the right was average. I took a stab in the dark there and it paid off for me luckily. My first intention was to go off the right (foot), but the way it played out there was a lot of pressure coming from that way, so it was just easier to have a go at the left.
“There wasn’t much time, so I had to get the ball down quickly and have a shot.”
It was only the second time in his NRL career that Cherry-Evans had kicked a field goal with his left foot.
The first was at Shark Park in 2011 to give Manly the lead before an amazing chip kick and regather by captain Jamie Lyon sent Michael Oldfield to the tryline to ‘overshadow’ the left footer.
As good as his miraculous field goal was, Cherry-Evans was quick to praise the amazing charge down of a field goal attempt in Golden Point extra time by Warriors half-back Shaun Johnson.
Trbojevic dived for the loose ball. A few plays later and Cherry-Evans pops the winning field goal to give Manly just their second win in seven matches in Golden Point.
“That was arguably the biggest play of the game. As Jake’s team-mates, we definitely mentioned that to him as soon as the field goal was kick,’’ Cherry-Evans said.
“That is the sort of play that makes him the player he is. He has such high potential for his career. We understand as team-mates it is the little things like that which make up the bigger picture.
“It was a huge play. He definitely got the congratulations he deserved after the game from his team-mates.”
Cherry-Evans said the team would take plenty of confidence from the win as the Sea Eagles move to 11th place on 16 points, just four behind the eighth-placed Warriors.
“The win keeps the season alive. Although it is still a very high mountain for us to climb to get to the finals, we are building at the right time of the year,’’ he added.
“I dare say there will be a lot of teams looking over their shoulder hoping we don’t play finals football.”
