Manly legend Cliff Lyons was as sharp as one of his trademark passes to send the great Steve Menzies over when asked how he would have gone playing alongside current half-back Daly Cherry-Evans.
“I wouldn’t have had to do much,’’ Lyons laughed.
“We could have been left and right siders. He is a very special player.”
Always humble and honest, Lyons is about to witness his long-time record of most games for Manly of 309 broken at a sold out 4 Pines Park this Saturday after Cherry-Evans drew level at Wollongong last weekend.
A member of the NRL Hall of Fame, Lyons said Cherry-Evans deserves the honour of being Manly’s most capped player. He already holds the record as the most capped Manly captain in the club’s history.
“Records are meant to be broken and I couldn’t be happier for Daly to achieve this,'' Lyons said.
It’s going to be a very special day for Daly, his family and for our club
Cliff Lyons on DCE reaching 310 games
“Daly’s right up there with the very best players at Manly. His leadership is outstanding. He wouldn’t ask a player to do something that he wouldn’t do himself.
“He probably do it first and then ask them later. That’s the kind of guy he is."
Lyons believes 35-year-old Cherry-Evans could truly play on past his current deal which expires at the end of next year.
“I reckon Daly has got another three years left in him. He will do it easily and then he can think about what he wants to do after that,’’ Lyons stated.
“His game is getting better and better with age. His form in 2023 was outstanding. It was unbelievable to watch what he did for Manly.”
Most Games for Manly
309 Cliff Lyons 1986-1999, Daly Cherry-Evans (2011-)*
280 Steve Menzies 1993-2008
278 Anthony Watmough 2003-2014
263 Alan Thompson 1973-1984
255 Des Hasler 1984-1996
241 Fred Jones 1961-1975
238 Geoff Toovey 1988-1999
237 Graham Eadie 1971-1983
233 Brett Stewart 2003-2016
