Daly Cherry-Evans' return to Manly-Warringah at Brookvale Oval for the Roosters in 2026 NRL season
Consensus Summary
Daly Cherry-Evans returned to Brookvale Oval for the first time as a Rooster after leaving Manly-Warringah, marking a historic and emotional moment for both clubs. The match took place amid severe weather conditions, with lightning and heavy rain disrupting the game, yet the crowd still turned out in force. Cherry-Evans faced a hostile reception from Manly fans, who booed him throughout the game, though the reaction was more playful than venomous. Despite the crowdâs frustration with Manlyâs early-season strugglesâincluding a 0-3 start and a forward pack in disarrayâthe Roosters won 33-16, with Cherry-Evans playing a steady, controlled game. His performance included 22/22 accurate passes and contributions to the attack alongside James Tedesco and Siua Wong, though he avoided any standout moments that might have pleased Manly supporters. The game highlighted Manlyâs internal issues, with fans directing blame toward coach Anthony Seibold and questioning the teamâs future direction. Cherry-Evans left the field alone after full-time, reflecting on his departure with no apparent bitterness, while Manly faces an uncertain path ahead as the season progresses.
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
- The match took place on a stormy night with lightning, heavy rain, and power cuts at Brookvale Oval an hour before kick-off
- Manly-Warringah started the 2026 NRL season with a 0-3 record, including three losses at Brookvale Oval
- Cherry-Evans was booed by Manly fans during warm-ups, team introductions, and throughout the game
- Manly's forward pack struggled early, with Jake Trbojevic recording just 8 runs for 70 metres across three games before the match
- Cherry-Evans played a controlled, steady game for the Roosters, completing 22/22 passes in wet conditions
- The Roosters won the match 33-16, with Cherry-Evans contributing to the attack alongside James Tedesco and Siua Wong
- Manly's crowd turned inward in frustration, with 'Seibold out' chants heard in the final 10 minutes of the match
- Cherry-Evans left Brookvale after full-time, sitting alone behind the Manly bench in silence
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Cherry-Evans was described as 'the newly minted Rooster' in the lead-up to the game
- The article mentions 'Cherry's a w*****' chant' (explicitly written out) during the game
- Cherry-Evans' combination with Siua Wong was described as 'one to watch in the weeks to come'
- The article notes Cherry-Evans' missed tackles under heavy pressure from Manly but emphasizes he 'kept a saddle on it'
- Cherry-Evans' performance was described as 'tidy' and 'recognisable' from his time at Manly
- The article highlights that Cherry-Evans 'did not need any bitterness' and left with 'bragging rights'
- The article mentions 'Tom Trbojevic and Tolu Koula' as Manly's long-range scoring threats
- The article notes Cherry-Evans' 'combination with the impressive Siua Wong' will be a focus
- The article describes the crowd's frustration as 'turning inwards' with 'Seibold out' chants
- The article mentions Cherry-Evans' 'late try or cheeky field goal' as a potential fan-pleaser that didn't occur
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 and 2 both describe the crowd's booing of Cherry-Evans, but Article 3 (live blog) does not explicitly state the crowd's reaction to Cherry-Evans beyond his steady play
- Article 1 and 2 mention Cherry-Evans' 'combination with Siua Wong' as a highlight, but Article 3 does not detail this specific dynamic
- Article 1 and 2 describe the crowd's frustration as 'turning inwards' with 'Seibold out' chants, while Article 3 does not mention this specific crowd reaction
- Article 1 and 2 describe the 'pantomime quality' to the booing of Cherry-Evans, while Article 3 focuses on gameplay rather than crowd dynamics
- Article 1 and 2 mention Cherry-Evans' 'combination with Sam Walker' being ironed out, but Article 3 does not reference this
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...