Daly Cherry-Evans' return to Manly-Warringah at Brookvale Oval for the Roosters in 2026 season opener
Consensus Summary
Daly Cherry-Evans made his emotional return to Brookvale Oval for the Roosters in their 2026 NRL season opener against his former club Manly-Warringah. Despite heavy rain and a storm cutting power before kick-off, the match drew a large crowd, with Cherry-Evans greeted by boos from Manly fans throughout the game. The Roosters won 33-16, with Cherry-Evans playing a steady, controlled game at halfback, helping the team maintain possession and territory. Manly struggled offensively, with their forward pack failing to create consistent territory, and Jake Trbojevic recording minimal impact in the first three games. Tolu Koula scored a standout solo try in the first half, described as one of the best in the fixture. Cherry-Evans' departure from Manly after 352 appearances and 15 years has left the club in a precarious position, starting the season with three losses at home. The game highlighted the emotional divide between Cherry-Evans and Manly fans, though the crowd's frustration ultimately turned inward toward the team's performance and coaching. Cherry-Evans himself left with bragging rights, playing a familiar, effective role for the Roosters, while Manly faces a challenging road ahead as they consider significant changes to their squad.
✓ 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 their first game of the 2026 NRL season
- Cherry-Evans was booed by Manly fans during warm-ups, team introductions, and throughout the game
- The match took place despite a storm causing power cuts and heavy rain just before kick-off
- 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
- Tolu Koula scored a solo try in the first half, described as one of the best tries in the fixture
- Cherry-Evans was at the heart of the Roosters' attack, with the team's combination with Sam Walker still developing
- Manly's 2026 season started with three losses, all at Brookvale Oval
- Cherry-Evans left Manly after 352 appearances and 15 years with the club
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 toward coach Anthony Seibold, with 'Seibold out' chants heard in the final 10 minutes
- Cherry-Evans was described as 'emerging from the tunnel and back onto the pitch he has played on hundreds of times but never once like this' after full-time
- The article mentions 'the blood between Cherry-Evans and Manly doesn't have to be bad for it to mean something'
- The article highlights that Cherry-Evans' departure has made it easier for Manly to consider changes to other players
- The article notes that Cherry-Evans' combination with Siua Wong will be one to watch in the weeks to come
- The article describes the crowd's treatment of Cherry-Evans as having a 'pantomime quality' and devolving to laughter
- The article mentions that Cherry-Evans' missed tackles under heavy pressure from Manly were not costly
- The article states that Cherry-Evans' performance was 'recognisable, the kind of game he played a hundred times or more at this very ground'
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 and 3 mention Cherry-Evans was booed throughout the game, but Article 2's live blog does not explicitly state this until later in the match
- Article 1 and 3 describe Cherry-Evans' performance as 'tidy' and 'controlled,' while Article 2's live blog does not provide a detailed post-game analysis of his performance
- Article 1 and 3 mention that Cherry-Evans' departure has made it easier for Manly to consider changes to other players, but Article 2 does not address this aspect
- Article 1 and 3 describe the crowd's frustration turning inward toward coach Anthony Seibold, but Article 2 does not mention this
- Article 1 and 3 mention that Cherry-Evans' combination with Sam Walker is still developing, but Article 2 does not provide a detailed analysis of this
Source Articles
DCE's return to Brookvale was a reminder of Manly’s 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...
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 ...