Daly Cherry-Evans concedes Des Hasler’s brutal dismissal from Manly could have roster repercussions well beyond the Trbojevic brothers as the Sea Eagles skipper welcomed the dawning of “a new era at the club”.
Speaking from Kangaroos camp in the UK for the first time since Hasler’s acrimonious exit last week, Cherry-Evans maintained his long-held respect for the two-time premiership-winning coach while side-stepping suggestions the saga has been poorly handled or that Hasler deserved more respect from Manly officials.
Anthony Seibold is set to be installed as the Sea Eagles new coach as early as this week, with a critical first few months looming after months of political infighting on the northern beaches.
The futures of Tom and Jake Trbojevic have dominated the fall-out since Hasler’s sacking given their bond with the veteran coach and frustrations with Manly’s constant political fractures.
But several more key players have also been strong supporters of Hasler – long-renowned for backing his players above all else.
Haumole Olakau’atu, Jason Saab, Tolutau Koula and Josh Schuster were among the seven players who Hasler publicly supported throughout the fractious ‘Everyone in League’ jersey drama and headline the club’s promising next generation.
Manly’s million-dollar halfback stressed several times that redeeming a disastrous on-field end to 2022 must be the players’ priority, even with playing futures likely to be cast in a new light in coming months.
“I can’t speak on behalf of other players,” Cherry-Evans said.
“Naturally when a new coach comes in, the playing group can be a little bit concerned around the coach’s new directions. That’s only natural, but this isn’t the first time an NRL team has had a new coach.
“As it was developing, it was always looking like it was going to end badly. It’s disappointing to see Des go, obviously I’ve got a great relationship with him.
Kangaroos duty has offered Daly Cherry-Evans respite from the drama at Manly.Credit:Getty
“The club’s chosen to move forward and it’s going to be a completely fresh start for the playing group.
“When we come back [to pre-season] we’re going to have a new coach and a new coaching staff and I think that’s exactly what we need to kickstart a new campaign and a new era at the club.”
Cherry-Evans has only had limited contact with teammates since departing for Australia’s World Cup campaign 10 days ago and said he hasn’t discussed Jake Trbojevic’s future with him on tour, or spoken with Seibold.
Pressed on the older Trbojevic’s future, he said: “I know how passionate he is about the club and I’m sure Jake will come out and clear up his future one way or the other when the time’s right for him.
“I value Jake as a teammate, I love Jake in the team and I can’t imagine not playing footy with him.
“So if there is any animosity, I hope it’s cleared. But I daresay with Jake he’s just happy to tear in with a new coaching staff next year.”
Cherry-Evans reached out to Hasler from Kangaroos camp, acknowledging his “big impact on my footy career, so I definitely felt the courtesy to give Des a message and I’m sure he is someone I’ll stay in contact [with] for a long time.”
Daly Cherry-Evans with now ousted Manly coach Des Hasler.Credit:Getty
He refused to criticise the club’s handling of a saga that still has Hasler considering legal action, but admitted it has been largely par for the course throughout his 283-game career in maroon and white.
“Whether it’s right or wrong how they do it, it’s always been like that for as long as I’ve been at the club,” Cherry-Evans said.
“One thing that I’ve grown to know is that I’ve just got to worry about bringing the footy team together and playing some better footy next year.
“Manly will always be Manly and that’s just the way we are.
“It’s always been our performances that we’ve been most proud of. The stuff off-field at the moment, it’s not ideal, but these things get a bit more traction when you’re not winning footy games.
“Obviously it wasn’t ideal to see the club that I care about spoken about so poorly.
“I care about the place and just want to see the whole place do well. The playing group can’t control how the office works.”
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