Daly Cherry-Evans' return to Manly-Warringah as a Rooster amid the club's early-season struggles
Consensus Summary
Daly Cherry-Evans made his emotional return to Brookvale Oval as a Rooster, facing his former Manly-Warringah club in the opening round of the 2026 NRL season. The match ended in a 33-16 loss for Manly, who began the season with a 0-3 record, all at home. Cherry-Evans, who left Manly after 352 appearances and 15 years, was met with boos from the crowd throughout the game, though the hostility was more symbolic than venomous. His performance was steady and controlled, playing to his strengths and avoiding errors, but Manlyâs struggles were evident as their forwards struggled to create territory, with Jake Trbojevic recording minimal impact. The game was played in harsh conditions, with heavy rain and power cuts, yet the crowd remained. Manlyâs season is in turmoil, with fans and players directing frustration inward, including chants for coach Anthony Seiboldâs departure. Cherry-Evansâ departure has also emboldened Manly to consider significant changes, signaling a potential overhaul ahead. The Roosters, meanwhile, looked promising, with Cherry-Evans playing a key role in their attack alongside Siua Wong, though they still have room to grow. The emotional weight of the match lingered as Cherry-Evans left the field alone after full-time, reflecting on his legacy at Manly.
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 during the off-season
- The match took place on the opening weekend of the 2026 NRL season, with Manly losing 33-16 to the Roosters
- Cherry-Evans was booed by Manly fans during warm-ups, team introductions, and throughout the game
- Manly started the 2026 season with a 0-3 record, with all three losses occurring at Brookvale Oval
- Cherry-Evans played a controlled, steady game for the Roosters, with no major errors or standout moments
- Manly's forward pack struggled to create territory, with Jake Trbojevic recording just 8 runs for 70 metres across three games
- The game was played in heavy rain and storm conditions, with power cuts and flooding affecting the venue
- Cherry-Evans left Manly-Warringah after 352 appearances and 15 years at the club
- Manly's coach Anthony Seibold faced crowd chants demanding his departure late in the game
- Tolu Koula scored a solo try in the first half, described as one of the best tries in the fixture
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 crowd's frustration turned inward with 'Seibold out' chants starting with 10 minutes remaining
- Cherry-Evans' combination with Siua Wong was highlighted as a potential future focus for the Roosters
- Cherry-Evans emerged from the tunnel after full-time and sat alone behind the Manly bench, staring into the night
- The article mentions 'Cherry's a wanker' chant as a pantomime quality, with no true venom from the crowd
- Cherry-Evans' performance was described as 'recognisable' and similar to games he played hundreds of times at Brookvale
- The article notes that Manly's team returning in a month may bear little resemblance to the one that faced Cherry-Evans
- Cherry-Evans' departure has emboldened Manly to consider changes, as a player so steeped in history can leave
- The article mentions Cherry-Evans' combination with Sam Walker was being ironed out, but Cherry-Evans played more through the attack than Walker
- Cherry-Evans' missed tackles under heavy pressure were noted but did not turn the game on him
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 and 3 both describe Cherry-Evans as being booed throughout the game, but Article 2's live blog does not explicitly mention sustained booingâonly that he was 'relentlessly booed' in the first half
- Article 1 and 3 state that Cherry-Evans was the longest-serving player at Manly until Jake Trbojevic surpassed him, but Article 2 does not mention Trbojevic's service length
- Article 1 and 3 mention that Cherry-Evans' departure has emboldened Manly to consider changes, but Article 2 does not discuss this aspect
- Article 1 and 3 describe the crowd's frustration turning inward with 'Seibold out' chants, but Article 2 does not mention this specific detail
- Article 1 and 3 highlight Cherry-Evans' controlled performance and lack of errors, while Article 2's live blog focuses more on the Roosters' tactical play and missed opportunities rather than Cherry-Evans' individual performance
Source Articles
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...
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 ...
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...