NRL Profile: Daly Cherry-Evans

A veteran who has been there and done it, Daly Cherry-Evans knows what it takes to go all the way to win an NRL grand final.

We take a look at his background and rugby career to date…

Name	Daly Cherry-Evans
Nation	Australia
Place of Birth	Redcliffe, Queensland
Age	34
Club	Manly Sea Eagles
Position	Halfback
Height	6ft 0in
Weight	85kg
International Caps	21
International Points	26

Odds

The Manly Sea Eagles are are outsiders at 26.00 to go all the way and win the grand final in the 2024 NRL campaign.  

Manly are available at 2.40 to finish the regular season in the top eight and 1.57 to miss out on the finals. 

In the To Reach the Grand Final market, the Sea Eagles are currently 12.00 to make it to the showpiece event.

Background and profile

Born in Redcliffe, Queensland, to an English mother and an Australian former rugby-playing father, Cherry-Evans got to grips with rugby league from a very young age.

After impressing on a trial with the Manly Sea Eagles, Cherry-Evans signed for the club’s under-20s side and progressed from their.

While at times in his career it looked like Cherry-Evans would move on to pastures new, the halfback has only played for the Sea Eagles in the NRL.

The highlight of his club career to date was back in his debut NRL season in 2011, with the Sea Eagles beating the New Zealand Warriors to win the grand final.

Cherry-Evans was awarded the 2011 Dally M Rookie of the Year award for his efforts that season, in which he made 27 appearances, scored seven tries, kicked 25 goals and three field goals.

It was also a year Cherry-Evans was named the world’s best halfback by the Rugby League International Federation at it’s annual awards.

International career

With an English-born mother, there was an attempt by then-England head coach Steve McNamara to play for the men in white at the 2011 Four Nations.

Cherry-Evans turned down the offer, stating he would only play for Queensland and Australia if selected.

It proved to be a smart decision, with Cherry-Evans helping the Kangaroos win the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

The playmaker has featured 21 times for his country, helping the Kangaroos to 16 wins in that time and scoring 26 points.

What to expect

Winning the NRL grand final in 2011 and the World Cup with Australia two years later, so much of Cherry-Evans’ biggest successes happened very early in his career.

The Sea Eagles had an outstanding team at that time and both Cherry-Evans and the club are desperately seeking to get back to those heady days of 2011.

After finishing down in 12th place on the NRL ladder last season, Manly have a lot of work to do to make sure they return to the finals this year.

At the age of 34, club captain Cherry-Evans is nearing the end of his career and the 2024 could be his last chance to get his hands back on the Provan-Summons Trophy, something the Sea Eagles are 26.00 to achieve.