Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy started to see the irony when discussing Sunday’s rivals Manly and the news their skipper Daly Cherry-Evans would depart at the end of the year.
Bellamy walked in Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold’s shoes eight years ago when Cooper Cronk, then the star halfback at the club and a premiership winner, declared he would be cutting ties with the Storm at the end of that season.
Cronk held his own press conference at an early stage of the season like Cherry-Evans did a couple of weeks ago. Cronk said he wanted to move to Sydney to be closer to his now wife Tara Rushton.
Cherry-Evans stunned the league world when he said on Nine’s 100% Footy he would finish up after 15 years on the northern beaches, but was open to continuing his career elsewhere.
Just as Cronk refused to drop his bundle and farewelled Melbourne with a premiership that year, Bellamy said he did not expect Cherry-Evans to clock off for his own club.
If anything, having a halfback and senior player declare his intentions so early in the campaign could add to a team’s motivation to chase success.
It’s 2017 all over: Craig Bellamy and Cooper Cronk went through what Daly Cherry-Evans and Anthony Seibold are now experiencing at Manly.Credit: Stephen Kiprillis/SMH
Cherry-Evans was his usual reliable self in the win over Parramatta last Sunday, and Bellamy knows the Manly captain is one of the many attacking threats his side will need to try and contain on a sunny Sunday afternoon at 4 Pines Park.
At least the Storm welcome back their own No.7, Jahrome Hughes, who broke his hand just two weeks ago.
“When it came to Cooper, he was always going to do his best for us, and even if he dropped off a bit, he was always going to do a good job for us,” Bellamy told this masthead on Saturday.
“He went to the Roosters and won two more comps there, so he was going alright.
“At the end of the day, we knew why Cooper made his decision, and we were fine with that. I never wanted to see him go, and [I can’t fault] the service he gave this club, and he kept good relations with everybody.
“I imagine Daly is doing the same at Manly. The way Manly have played, not just him, they’re playing the house down with the amount of points they’re scoring.
“I don’t know Daly all that well, but from my experience with Cooper, I can only imagine he will want to leave there on a good note.
“There’s a lot to admire about him. I’m pretty sure Manly fans will get their money’s worth [from him] this year.”
Daly Cherry-Evans remains loved by Manly fans.Credit: NRL Photos
Cronk said at the time he wanted to be with Rushton, and did not announce his deal with the Roosters until after the season.
Cherry-Evans is now being wooed by the same Bondi club with a similar two-year deal. Like Cronk, Cherry-Evans fits the Roosters’ bill, given he is a game manager they desperately need, a cleanskin, and a polished public speaker who appeals to corporate sponsors.
The only difference between the two players is Cherry-Evans will attend post-match press conferences every week, and be asked for regular updates.
Cronk said of his decision to leave Melbourne at the time: “Sometimes there is more to life than football.
“I’m jealous of the guys who have their families here, who have their loved ones and have football in the same city.
“Unfortunately or fortunately – whichever side you sit on – it’s time for me to try and prioritise my time and my future and that’s why I’ve made the announcement.
“I’ve been pretty selfish in my approach to my football career and I think it’s time I put someone else and something else first.
“I don’t know what is ahead for me next year but if you ask me if I could play, then yes I could.
“I feel physically and mentally that I could play another couple of years, but there are other things to weigh up.”
Even at 36, Cherry-Evans knows he is physically and mentally capable of continuing. He even wants to keep playing Origin football with Queensland.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy.Credit: NRL Photos
“I’ve always admired what Daly has done for Manly, and he’s still doing it – age hasn’t slowed him down,” Bellamy said.
“He’s not playing any worse, and he doesn’t look any slower or any less skilful or less keen. He’s a marvel.”
The Storm are coming off a loss to the Dragons, but desperately lacked direction in attack without Hughes. Bellamy said Hughes would definitely start, despite initially expecting he would be sidelined a lot longer than a week.
“They [the Storm medicos] thought he would only miss a week, but I told them at the time there was no way that would happen,” Bellamy said.
“But apparently he did something similar in his other time.”
Tyran Wishart moves to the wing for Will Warbrick who will miss the game because of concussion symptoms.
Manly will be without Tom Trbojevic (knee) with Lehi Hopoate to start at the back.
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