- Former favourite son was the enemy in Roosters colours
Sydney Roosters star Daly Cherry-Evans anticipated a frosty reception from Manly fans on his highly-anticipated return to Brookvale Oval on Thursday night – and the locals didn’t disappoint.
Every time the five-eighth touched the ball he was met with a chorus of boos from supporters in maroon and white, who clearly didn’t care the playmaker previously won a premiership with the club in 2011 and chalked up 352 appearances over 15 years.
Moving to Bondi in the off-season made Cherry-Evans the enemy.
But the veteran was all smiles at fulltime as he walked away a winner, with Trent Robinson’s men 33-16 victors.
Speaking post-game, the 37-year-old insisted he wasn’t bothered about being the supposed villain – and admitted it was strange walking into the opposition sheds.
‘I appreciated it, (the boos) I really did,’ Cherry-Evans told Nine.
Sydney Roosters star Daly Cherry-Evans anticipated a frosty reception from Manly fans on his return to Brookvale Oval on Thursday night – and the locals didn’t disappoint
Booed every time he touched the ball, the veteran was all smiles at fulltime as he walked away a winner, with Trent Robinson’s men 33-16 victors
Manly fans made their feelings well-known on the hill to their former favourite son (pictured)
On a chaotic night, Brookvale Oval was engulfed in darkness 90 minutes before kick-off as a heavy storm saw the power go out
‘It’s a part of sport, right? There’s no nastiness to it, it’s just the game and fans are allowed to show their passion. ‘When it’s done in the spirit of the game – no dramas.
‘Obviously this is a place where I spent nearly the majority of my life, so I’ve got so many great memories here.
‘It was really weird feeling being in a different dressing room and running out as a Rooster, but I’m exactly where I wanted to be and really enjoying the journey.’
Some salty fans made their feelings known on the hill, with one banner reading: ‘DCE loves c*ck and hates birds.’
A second read: ‘DCE, the biggest c*ck of the lot, Manly forever.’
On a chaotic night, Brookvale Oval was engulfed in darkness as a heavy storm saw the power go out.
Miraculously, play began on time, but the dark clouds continue on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Having famously never won a wooden spoon dating back to 1947, Sea Eagles fans are on edge following their team’s third straight defeat.
Ominously, they have come up short each time on home soil against the Raiders, Knights and Roosters, with coach Anthony Seibold seemingly on borrowed time.
They next take on the Dolphins in Brisbane on April 2.
