Daly Cherry-Evans credits the leadership legacy of Cameron Smith for why he has turned into one of Queensland’s most decorated and respected captains.
Former skipper Smith, now a Maroons assistant coach, is equally impressed with how the 34-year-old has embraced the responsibility as they both prepare to secure the State of Origin series on Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium against NSW.
“When you break down the numbers that Daly has been able to build with this Queensland side, it is pretty impressive,” Smith told AAP.
“He is now a 20-gamer. He’s already a multiple series-winning captain. If he was able to guide the team to another series victory in this campaign that would be pretty special for him.
“He is now sitting as the fourth-most capped captain for Queensland and that is special in itself.”
The way Smith captained the Maroons side to six series victories was a template for Cherry-Evans, who is on the cusp of his third series win as skipper.
“His demeanour and his calm head as a leader was so noticeable as a teammate,” Cherry-Evans said.
“Even now as I watch him as a coach he is still extremely calm but also direct with his messaging. You make no mistake about what you need to do for the side.
“I definitely try and implement that throughout my leadership.”
Smith, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston all retired from representative football at the end of 2017. Then followed Greg Inglis and Billy Slater in 2018.
It was one of the biggest upheavals in Maroons history with all five amongst the greatest players of the modern era.
After bursting on the Origin scene in 2013, Cherry-Evans was left out of the side for nine straight matches between game three in 2015 and game two of 2018.
Smith had observed the growth in the Manly captain and before the 2019 series was vocal about why Cherry-Evans should lead the side. He was proven right.
“I’d seen the change in his maturity, not only as a person but as a footballer,” Smith explained.
“He was always a very skilful footballer, and confident, but I saw the patience he built into his game and how he was not always looking for the big play. I also noticed the leadership he was showing on the field.
“He was a lot more vocal and consistent with his performances as well. They were all positive traits for a future captain of the side.”
After losing his first series as captain in 2019 to a final-minute try in the decider, Cherry-Evans took charge in 2020 of an outfit dubbed “the worst ever” by pundits south of the border.
“Daly captained the side to a very unlikely (2-1) series win in 2020 through a different period where they played back-to-back-to back games in trying conditions where there was that (COVID) bubble scenario,” Smith said.
“Everyone bar Queenslanders said they couldn’t win that series and he was able to guide the team to a very special series victory … one of the best.
“Last year he came into the series where there were question marks about his position in the team and his form but the coach Billy Slater backed him and showed faith in him. He knew Daly had produced special performances before for Queensland.”
In the decider, with the Maroons ravaged by injury before and during the match, Cherry-Evans was supreme in a 22-12 win for the ages.
“I don’t think there would be many better than his game three performance,” Smith said.
“That was an out-and-out captain’s knock. The way he was able to produce that timely performance was one of the best.”
Cherry-Evans will lead the Maroons for the 14th time on Wednesday night. He sits behind only Wally Lewis (30), Darren Lockyer (22) and Smith (21) on Queensland’s all-time list.
“I get to pass on those messages that I got told,” Cherry-Evans said of past greats.
“Those guys laid the foundation and the people before them laid the foundation.
“Being the old fella, the veteran … I am here to help instil belief and confidence into this Queensland team.
“That’s so when I’m done … when Cam Munster retires or whoever … this team is in great condition and can win with whoever we have got out there. I am just trying to help pass on the baton.”
The Maroons won 26-18 in game one of this series in Adelaide, once again while losing players to injury throughout the match.
It was another captain’s knock by Cherry-Evans in his 20th match for the Maroons, earning him the prestigious FOGS Dick ‘Tosser’ Turner Medal.
“Deep down I was always going to be proud of the achievement and the milestone,” Cherry-Evans said.
“The win made it extra special that is for sure with the style we did it. It was a really memorable night.
“This series is on the line so I am glad we are playing at Suncorp 1-0 up. I have been on the other side of the fence and it is not a great feeling so we have got to lean into what we think is going to work.
“I have lost at Suncorp before and it is an awful feeling. I just don’t want to give that feeling to any of our young boys, but also to Queenslanders. They deserve to wake up happy next Thursday.”
Australian Associated Press