Cherry-Evans Booed as Roosters Down Sea Eagles in Dramatic NRL Clash
- Daly Cherry-Evans endured a venomous reception on his return to Brookvale Oval on Thursday night, as the Sydney Roosters defeated his former club, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles,...
- The game itself was preceded by dramatic scenes, as a severe thunderstorm caused a power outage at Brookvale Oval approximately 90 minutes before kickoff.
- Cherry-Evans acknowledged the anticipated animosity from the Manly crowd before the game, stating to ABC Sport, “I knew that coming in there would be all types of receptions…...
Cherry-Evans Faces Hostile Return as Roosters Dominate Sea Eagles
Daly Cherry-Evans endured a venomous reception on his return to Brookvale Oval on Thursday night, as the Sydney Roosters defeated his former club, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, 33-16. The veteran playmaker was relentlessly booed by sections of the Manly faithful throughout the match, a clear demonstration of lingering resentment following his off-season move to the Roosters. Despite the hostile atmosphere, Cherry-Evans played a key role in the Roosters’ victory, contributing to four of his team’s six tries.
The game itself was preceded by dramatic scenes, as a severe thunderstorm caused a power outage at Brookvale Oval approximately 90 minutes before kickoff. While power was restored, the inclement weather set the stage for a highly charged encounter. The Sea Eagles, already struggling with a 0-2 start to the season, fell to a third consecutive defeat, their first three-game losing streak at home since 2004. The Roosters, meanwhile, bounced back from a heavy loss to the Panthers in their previous outing.
Cherry-Evans acknowledged the anticipated animosity from the Manly crowd before the game, stating to ABC Sport, “I knew that coming in there would be all types of receptions… some were going to boo, some would be happy to see me.” He appeared unfazed by the jeers, even offering his training top to a Manly fan as he returned to the tunnel before the match. However, the constant heckling did little to soften the blow for the Sea Eagles, who ultimately succumbed to a dominant Roosters performance.
The Roosters’ victory was built on a strong second-half performance, sparked by a crucial strip on Corey Waddell. This turnover led to a quick succession of tries from Robert Toia, Connor Watson, and Daniel Tupou, effectively breaking the game open. While Manly showed glimpses of promise, particularly through early tries from Tom Trbojevic and Tolu Koula, they lacked the consistency and polish needed to challenge the Roosters. Koula’s 88-metre solo try was a highlight for the home side, but ultimately insufficient to turn the tide.
The defeat has intensified the pressure on Manly coach Anthony Seibold, with disgruntled fans chanting “Seibold out” in the closing stages of the match. The Sea Eagles’ struggles are compounded by a challenging upcoming schedule, including a trip to face the Dolphins next week. For the Roosters, the win provides a much-needed boost and alleviates some of the scrutiny surrounding their own early-season form. The team demonstrated resilience, completing 46 of 49 sets, their highest completion rate since 2013.
The match also saw winger Jason Saab sin-binned late in the game for a high tackle on Hugo Savala, adding further frustration to Manly’s evening. The Roosters were not without their own injury concerns, with Egan Butcher knocked out in the opening minutes and Billy Smith failing to return after halftime with a knee injury.
Looking ahead, Manly will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and find greater consistency in attack if they are to salvage their season. The Roosters, meanwhile, will aim to build on this victory and establish themselves as genuine contenders in the NRL premiership race. The focus will also be on the health of key players Butcher and Smith as they prepare for their next fixture.