Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans isn’t actively trying to match Cooper Cronk in Monday night’s NRL blockbuster against Melbourne at Brookvale Oval, but he might as well be.
The Storm No.7 is the benchmark for consistency in his position and that’s exactly where Cherry-Evans wants to get to.
In the ‘Battle of Brookvale’ rematch, most of the attention will be on any potential flare-ups, but in reality it’s the little men who will most likely decide this game.
Cherry-Evans has in many respects shadowed Cronk this season.
He was Cronk’s back-up on the bench for Australia’s Test against New Zealand, and 18th man for Queensland in Origin I – watching the Maroons’ halfback’s every move at training.
Cherry-Evans says Cronk won’t be his focus on Monday night, but acknowledges the influence his opposite number is having on his development as one of the NRL’s premier playmakers.
“I’m just looking at it as another game. If you look at battles too much you’ll get caught up in the hype,” said Cherry-Evans.
“It’s hard to say because one big game isn’t going to define my season. It’d be good to have a good game but it’s a consistent season you’re looking for.”
Cherry-Evans, 23, said Cronk had more important things to worry about than mentoring him during their time together in Australia and Queensland camp.
However he says observing Cronk’s habits is inspiration and incentive enough.
“He can’t be focusing too much on lending a hand. They’re preparing for a massive game of Origin so it’s more being around in the shadows and trying to pick up on things for your own game,” he said.
“Cooper’s real professional the way he prepares for a game. That’s something I’d like to work on myself,” added Cherry-Evans, who predicts his combination with injury affected five-eighth Kieran Foran is about to hit top gear heading into the finals.
Cherry-Evans’ personal battle with Cronk will take on even greater importance on Monday, given Billy Slater is out of action and the game is robbed of one of the great match-ups – Slater versus Brett Stewart.
Slater is out for the ladder-leaders with a knee injury and will most likely be replaced at the back by Gareth Widdop or Matt Duffie.
Manly admit Slater’s omission is a major advantage as they look to stay on par with the top four.
“Obviously he’s a great player and that’s a bonus for us but in saying that they’re the best team in the comp they’ve got that many guys that can step in and do the job,” said captain Jason King.
Cherry-Evans and King said last year’s violent events at Brookvale, when Glenn Stewart and Adam Blair sparked an ugly all-in brawl, were in the past and a repeat was the last thing on the players’ minds.
