Ron ‘Rambo’ Gibbs knows better than most what it feels like to be booed at Brookvale Oval by the very fans he played for – now, he hopes Daly Cherry-Evans doesn’t receive the same treatment.
Gibbs, who was heavily criticised by Manly supporters after signing with Gold Coast midway through 1987, has called on fans to show respect for the current Sea Eagles captain when he runs out against Parramatta on Sunday.
‘I really hope they don’t boo Cherry-Evans,’ Gibbs said. ‘It would be pretty weak if they do. He is such a professional, he always has been.’
Gibbs was once targeted by supporters for replacing club legend Terry Randall. At the time, a giant sign on the Brookvale hill read: ‘Give back Randall’s jumper.’
Despite the criticism, Gibbs stayed focused and inspired Manly to a grand final victory that year.
‘All I did in those days was try and play my normal game and play the best I could to shut anyone up, and I think Daly will do the same,’ he told News Corp.
Ron ‘Rambo’ Gibbs was a fan favourite at Brookvale Oval because of his hard-nosed style of playing the game
Manly veteran Daly Cherry-Evans could face booing from the Sea Eagles faithful after announcing he would not be staying at the club in 2026
Gibbs was famously booed by Manly supporters after signing with the Gold Coast Seagulls, and he hopes that doesn’t happen to DCE
‘They (Manly fans) turned on me a lot. When I would walk into the ground, or around the ground, I had people jeering me and sneering at me.’
Gibbs never held it against the fans. ‘That was their opinion and I had to do what was right for my family. It didn’t affect me and I wasn’t dirty on the fans.’
Now, as Cherry-Evans prepares to leave the club after 15 seasons and 333 first-grade games, the spotlight is firmly on how he will be received at Brookvale Oval.
‘To be honest, no, I’m not worried,’ Cherry-Evans said when asked about the potential for boos this weekend. ‘I know there’s so much love and support from people at the club.’
The 36-year-old has already rejected Manly’s final contract offer and confirmed his departure at season’s end. The Sea Eagles had offered him a one-year deal worth $750,000 or a two-year extension totalling $1.4million, but Cherry-Evans declined.
While the Roosters and Bulldogs lead the race for his signature, there’s also interest from the Dolphins, where Cherry-Evans played his junior football. His close relationship with Dolphins coach Des Hasler adds weight to a potential Queensland return.
Manly CEO Tony Mestrov said there was no animosity between the club and their departing captain.
‘He indicated he was going to retire or play overseas,’ Mestrov said.
The Manly fans are highly parochial and there are real fears they could turn on Cherry-Evans
The Maroons playmaker has still not made a decision on where he will play from next season
‘It is his decision, and I will stress there is no animosity from us, or from Cherry. He is a legend of this club.’
The departure, however, hasn’t come without controversy. It’s now known that Cherry-Evans asked for an immediate release back in early 2024, a request Manly rejected.
Some believe this split has reopened old wounds. His infamous 2016 backflip on a deal with the Gold Coast Titans still divides opinion among the club’s old guard.
Some Manly veterans remain frustrated that players took pay cuts in 2016 to keep the roster intact, only for Cherry-Evans to re-sign on the richest deal in NRL history.
Still, others acknowledge his contribution and professionalism.
Teammate Reuben Garrick said, ‘He’s been such a great servant for the club, 15 seasons here… There are so many good things that he has done for the club.’
Likely future captain Jake Trbojevic echoed that sentiment. ‘I don’t think Manly fans would boo one of their own players at home,’ he said.
Cherry-Evans insists he will give his all for the club until the final whistle of the season.
‘I know Daly personally and I class him as a good friend,’ Gibbs said. ‘He will give 100 per cent for the club right until the end. That’s all he can do.’
Gibbs added, ‘We need him for the grand final. Daly is a key player and we need him to win another one for us.’
