Daly Cherry-Evans' return to Manly-Warringah at Brookvale Oval for the Roosters in 2026 season opener
Consensus Summary
Daly Cherry-Evans made his highly anticipated return to Brookvale Oval for the Roosters in their 2026 season opener against his former club Manly-Warringah. The game was marred by a pre-match storm that caused power cuts and flooding, yet fans still turned out in force for the emotional match. Cherry-Evans, who played 352 games for Manly over 15 seasons, was met with boos from the crowd during warm-ups and throughout the game, though the reaction was more playful than venomous. Manly struggled to create territory, losing 33-16 and starting the season 0-3, all at home. Cherry-Evans played a controlled game for the Roosters, completing all 22 passes in wet conditions, while Manlyâs forward pack, including Jake Trbojevic and Tolu Koula, had difficulty breaking down the Roostersâ defense. Koula scored a solo try described as one of the best in the fixture, while Trbojevicâs 90-meter try set the tone early. The loss intensified Manlyâs internal frustrations, with fans targeting coach Anthony Seibold and questioning the teamâs direction. Cherry-Evans left the field alone after full-time, reflecting on his departure from the club he represented for a decade and a half. The game highlighted Manlyâs struggles and the emotional weight of Cherry-Evansâ return, while the Roosters showed promise in their new season.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Daly Cherry-Evans made his first appearance for the Roosters at Brookvale Oval after leaving Manly-Warringah in the off-season
- Manly-Warringah lost to the Roosters 33-16 in the game, marking their 0-3 start to the 2026 NRL season
- All three of Manlyâs losses in the 2026 season occurred at Brookvale Oval
- Cherry-Evans was booed by Manly fans during warm-ups, team introductions, and throughout the game
- Cherry-Evans played 352 games for Manly-Warringah over 15 seasons before switching to the Roosters
- A storm with lightning, thunder, and flash flooding caused power cuts and disrupted the game an hour before kick-off
- Tolu Koula scored a solo try in the first half, described as one of the best tries in the fixture
- Jake Trbojevic scored a 90-metre try within 30 seconds of kick-off for Manly
- Cherry-Evans completed 22/22 passes in wet conditions for the Roosters
- Manlyâs forward pack struggled to create territory, with only three tackles in the Roostersâ half after 30 minutes
- Cherry-Evans sat alone behind the Manly bench post-game, staring into the night after the match
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Cherry-Evans was described as playing 'tight and controlled,' hiding his weaknesses and playing to his strengths
- The article mentions 'Cherry's a wanker' chant was heard multiple times during the game
- Manly fans chanted 'Seibold out' with 10 minutes remaining in the game
- Jake Trbojevic had just eight runs for 70 metres across three games before this match
- Cherry-Evansâ combination with Siua Wong was highlighted as a future focus for the Roosters
- The article notes Cherry-Evans missed two tackles under heavy pressure but it never turned on him
- The game was described as having a 'pantomime quality' to the booing of Cherry-Evans
- The article mentions Manlyâs forward pack had 'serious issues' getting the ball up the field
- The article states Cherry-Evans left Manly with 'bragging rights' and 'promise of brighter tomorrows'
- The article references a 'long and winding saga' of Cherry-Evans' departure from Manly
- Live blog details a high shot from Luke Brooks or Jake Simpkin, with a Roosters high ball resulting in extra distance
- Conor Watson got the ball off an error by Manlyâs Corey Waddell, with a strip likely due to multiple players in the tackle
- The live blog describes a 'remarkable' offload by Mark Nawaqanitawase, barely picked up by commentators
- The live blog notes the Roosters had 15 players to choose from, with Billy Smith off and Hugo Savala on in the centres
- Egan Butcher failed his HIA earlier in the contest
- The live blog highlights a 'knock on' during a Trbojevic pass to Luke Brooks
- Sam Walker was forced off the field with a head clash described as 'friendly fire'
- The live blog details a 'clear pushing motion' by Lehi Hopoate on Billy Smith, leading to a six-meter call
- The live blog mentions a 'bouncing ball' not dealt with by Manly, resulting in a six-meter call for the Roosters
- The live blog describes a 'stunning first 40 minutes' with Manly leading 10-8 despite having barely any territory
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 and 3 both state Manly lost 33-16, but the live blog (Article 2) does not provide a final score until the end of the match, implying it was not immediately clear
- Article 1 and 3 describe Cherry-Evansâ performance as 'tidy' and 'controlled,' while the live blog (Article 2) does not provide a detailed performance analysis but focuses on play-by-play events
- Article 1 and 3 mention Cherry-Evans was booed throughout the game, but the live blog (Article 2) does not explicitly state the extent of the booing beyond the initial return
- Article 1 and 3 highlight Manlyâs forward pack struggles, but the live blog (Article 2) does not provide a detailed breakdown of the forward packâs performance until the second half
- Article 1 and 3 emphasize Cherry-Evansâ emotional return and the fansâ lack of bitterness, while the live blog (Article 2) focuses more on the tactical and play-by-play aspects of the game
Source Articles
Cherry-Evans's return to Brookvale a reminder of Manly's past amid an uncertain future
With Manly's season teetering on the edge, the Sea Eagles faithful welcomed former skipper Daly Cherry-Evans to Brookvale Oval in enemy colours for the first time. But it was the prodigal son who won ...
DCE's return to Brookvale was a reminder of Manlyâs past amid an uncertain future
As Manly's season teeters on the edge, the Sea Eagles faithful welcomed former skipper Daly Cherry-Evans to Brookvale Oval in enemy colours for the first time but it was the prodigal son who won the d...
Live: Cherry-Evans booed on return to Brookvale as Koula scores stunner
Daly Cherry Evans makes his first appearance at Brookvale since his off-season switch from the Sea Eagles to the Roosters, with both teams looking for a win to kick-start their 2026 NRL season. Follow...