Daly Cherry-Evans wins Sea Eagles' top award for 2020

Daly Cherry-Evans received the Roy Bull 'Best and Fairest' award from Sea Eagles Co-Owners Rick and Heather Penn

Author: Wayne Cousins
Timestamp: Wed 3 Mar 2021, 08:39 PM

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles half-back Daly Cherry-Evans has tonight taken out the Roy Bull ‘Best and Fairest’ Award for season 2020.

With COVID restrictions not allowing a formal presentation night last season, the Sea Eagles decided to hold back four major awards to coincide with the Club’s 75th Anniversary season launch held in Manly tonight. The rest of the awards were announced at a small club only function last September.

The Roy Bull award is named after Manly’s first international player who played 22 Tests for Australia and 177 club games.

Cherry-Evans played 23 games for Manly last season with his superb leadership and match-winning plays seeing him take out the Roy Bull award. It was a memorable season for Cherry-Evans, who also captained the Queensland Maroons to a State of Origin series victory.

Jake Trbojevic was a popular winner of the NRL Players’ Player Award. The respected vice-captain again got through a mountain of work in his 20 matches last season.

Jake Trbojevic received his NRL Players' Player award from 'The Godfather of Manly', Ken Arthurson.

Cherry-Evans took home a second award when he claimed the Gordon Willoughby Medallion for Best Player as voted by Sea Eagles Members.

Daly Cherry-Evans with Sea Eagles Co-Owners Rick and Heather Penn.

Willoughby played 130 games for Manly before serving as an administrator for the football club, where he held the roles as a delegate to the NSWRL, club vice president, and chairman of the board of directors.

The Doug Daley Clubman of the Year Award was presented to Rod Valdes, Manly’s Finance and Player Contract Manager in recognition of his outstanding work last season during the challenging COVID period for the club.

Clubman of the Year Rod Valdes with Head Coach Des Hasler.

Daley played seven seasons at Manly before moving into the role of club treasurer, secretary, and eventually, CEO. The Doug Daley Award celebrates an individual’s contribution towards the success and development of the club whether it is on or off the field.

“Rod has earned the respect of everyone across the club for his professional and friendly manner as well as his incredible work ethic and dedication to the Sea Eagles,’’ Manly CEO Stephen Humphreys said.