When Daly Cherry-Evans makes his way through a guard of honour at 4 Pines Park at 2:59pm on Saturday, he will become only the fifth player to reach the 350-game milestone.
The Sea Eagles will celebrate DCE’s achievement throughout this week, and of course on game day, when he leads the team out to face the Dolphins.
As milestones go, this is just about as big as it gets.
Daly has enjoyed a decorated career in his 15 years at Manly, including a premiership in his first season at the club in 2011, and the Clive Churchill Medal as player of the match in the 2013 Grand Final.
During this time ‘Chez’ has also represented his state and country with aplomb. He’s played 21 tests for Australia and 26 Origin games for Queensland, captaining the Maroons to series victories in 2020, 2022, and 2023.
As the most capped Manly player of all time, Cherry-Evans has provided Sea Eagles fans and the wider rugby league community with some magical memories over the years.
The club will reflect on some of those moments before the game on Saturday.
Daly will certainly be in exalted company when he enters the exclusive 350 Club, joining Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Darren Lockyer and Terry Lamb.
Only DCE, Smith and Lockyer played all 350 games at the one club.
Fellow Manly legend Steve Menzies fell one game short of a 350 Club Membership, calling time on his 349-game journey following Manly’s 40-0 victory over Melbourne in the 2008 Grand Final. What a way to bow out.
Beaver does however hold the record for most games at Brookie with 147 appearances on Lot 47A, two ahead of the great Cliffy Lyons.
Saturday will be Daly’s 136th game at the fortress.
Other than his NRL debut and 100th game, DCE has celebrated all other milestones with a win.
The most recent of which was the Round 5 defeat of the Panthers last season, when Cherry-Evans surpassed Lyons to become the Sea Eagles’ most capped player.
DCE Milestones
| Milestone | Result | Opposition | Round | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 300 | W 24-18 | Dragons | R22, 2023 | Wollongong |
| Game 250 | W 56-24 | Titans | R15, 2021 | Gold Coast |
| Game 200 | W 26-18 | Knights | R5, 2019 | Newcastle |
| Game 150 | W 36-0 | Bulldogs | R4, 2017 | Brookvale |
| Game 100 | L 22-12 | Eels | R24, 2014 | Parramatta |
| Game 50 | W 16-6 | Broncos | R25, 2012 | Brookvale |
| NRL Debut | L 18-6 | Storm | R1, 2011 | Melbourne |
In a brutal sport where the physical demands are raised a notch year on year, it's an incredible achievement for a player to reach 350 games.
Daly’s longevity hasn’t happened by chance.
He is the ultimate professional, meticulous with his preparation, and masterful of his craft.
Here’s hoping for another touch of milestone magic on Saturday.
DCE. Congratulations.
