Daly Cherry-Evans won’t play his 300th NRL game until late July, but when he does reach the milestone it will not be at his beloved Brookvale.
Manly champion Daly Cherry-Evans is facing a heartbreaking Brookvale blackout for his historic 300th NRL game.
The Sea Eagles and Queensland skipper – provided he stays suspension and injury-free – will play his milestone match against St George Illawarra in Wollongong during an unfriendly Saturday, 5.30pm timeslot, rather than at his beloved Brookie.
And the following week, Manly is away to the Sydney Roosters at the SCG, meaning even a week’s rest for Cherry-Evans after State of Origin still wouldn’t ensure he plays his big game at 4 Pines Park.
Playmaker Cherry-Evans would have to be rested twice for that to happen, a highly unlikely proposition given Manly is under pressure to reach the finals.
The dilemma comes as Raiders coach Ricky Stuart rested Jarrod Croker from last weekend’s match to ensure the veteran centre celebrated his 300th game at GIO Stadium, Canberra, this Friday night against the Warriors.
Cherry-Evans will become just the second player in Manly’s rich 76-year history to reach 300 games.
He will play his 295th game for Manly in Friday night’s round 15 match against the Dolphins at 4 Pines Park before missing an Eels game on June 17 due to Origin commitments.
Cherry-Evans’ 296th match will be against Melbourne on June 24 after Origin II.
His 297th match will be against Sydney Roosters on July 2 before Manly has a round 19 bye ahead of Origin III.
The star half-back’s 298th game would be against North Queensland on July 15 after Origin, meaning game 299 comes against Cronulla on July 23.
Cherry-Evans big day should finally arrive in round 22 on Saturday, July 29, against St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
That match would be expected to draw modest crowd given it’s the unwanted 5.30pm Saturday timeslot.
The following week, the Roosters will host Manly on August 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. This match will also pull a modest crowd given it will be played on a Thursday evening in Moore Park.
Cherry-Evans would finally return to belatedly celebrate at his beloved Brookie against Penrith on August 10 – 12 days and two games after he is scheduled to officially break the 300-game barrier.
“I knew his 300th was coming up but for me it’s just a matter of focusing on this week’s game,” said Manly coach Anthony Seibold.
“I haven’t put any thought into it as yet. Honestly, I’d have to have a think about it. As it approaches, as a club, I’m sure we will put some thought into it.”
The only way Cherry-Evans could play his 300th at 4 Pines would be through either being rested, injured or suspended for two games.
“Obviously we want to celebrate Daly’s milestone as a club, no doubt about it,” said Manly CEO, Tony Mestrov.
“’Seibs’ picks the team and at the moment his 300th game will be down there in Wollongong, pending injury, which will still be a huge celebration.
“We’re also mindful of ‘Chez’ playing a lot of footy as well but this will be ‘Seibs’ call. He might get rested but I doubt he would get rested twice.”
Only Cliff Lyons (309) has played more games for Manly. Cherry-Evans becomes the first one-club player to achieve the feat in Manly’s history.
Legendary forward Steve Menzies played 280 games for Manly and a further 69 for the Northern Eagles, a now defunct joint venture entity which lasted three seasons.
And Geoff Toovey posted 238 matches for the Sea Eagles and another 48 for the Northern Eagles.
Originally published as Daly Cherry-Evans to play milestone 300th match in either Wollongong or at the SCG