Wally Lewis' pointed message to Daly Cherry-Evans as Queensland hero makes retirement call
The Maroons icon is looking for the leaders to make a huge move in the Origin decider.
Queensland legend Wally Lewis has urged Daly Cherry-Evans to lead from the front in State of Origin Game 3 on Wednesday after speculation it could be the halfback's last representative appearance. Cherry-Evans has been outstanding in the Origin arena having etched his name in folklore back in 2020 when he led the Queensland team to a series win after they were labelled the 'worst in 40 years'.
Since then, Cherry-Evans has often outperformed his Blues counterparts and has become an Origin great. Although the Manly No.7 was left bereft of ideas in Game 2 against the Blues as he was unable to make his side competitive in the 38-18 thrashing.
On Monday, Cherry-Evans addressed speculation this could be his last Origin game with the possibility the 35-year-old will step down to focus on club footy. Cherry-Evans refused to confirm or deny whether this was his last time in a Maroons jersey, but wanted to focus on the game ahead.
And Maroons icon Lewis has also singled out Cherry-Evans as one of the players that needs to step-up against the Blues in Game 3. There has been doubts over whether the Maroons forwards can outmuscle the Blues in the decider at Suncorp after a poor game in Melbourne. This is despite Queensland not losing a series decider at home in 19 years.
Coach Billy Slater has not made a huge number of changes to the forwards, but has promoted Kurt Capewell to the starting side in a controversial move. And in a challenge to the veteran, Lewis has called for Cherry-Evans to aim up at the Blues on Wednesday night and guide his team around the park.
“DCE needs to produce a captain’s knock,” Lewis said on Channel Nine. “When you are in the position as captain and it’s a series-deciding game, you take upon yourself a bit of extra responsibility to realise you aren’t just inspiring yourself, you are inspiring those around you.
“Daly has to inspire the players and keep them all focused to play a bit better. He has this one game to put into play which is extremely important (to retain the Origin shield).
“There is a real challenge in front of DCE and I’m sure he will respond.” Cherry-Evans has responded in the past for the Maroons and has been an inspirational leader since the retirement of legends such as Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Slater. A fourth series win as captain would mean only Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Smith would have more as leaders of Queensland.
Daly Cherry-Evans shuts down retirement farewell
Playing in his 25th game, Cherry-Evans refused to make the big day about him. Cherry-Evans is producing some of his best footy at the age of 35. But the Maroons great said he didn't want to make the game about him considering it could be his last wearing the No.7 for his state.
"I promise you there won't be an announcement. (When) I will be sailing off I to the sunset, people won't know until the off-season," Cherry-Evans said. "I won't want any special treatment for that sort of stuff.
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"I don't make these decisions during the year. I do my best thinking in the off-season but while I am in the thick of it I am just going to keep enjoying it. I love this job and it is crazy that I even call it a job. I love everything that comes with it."
Lewis called for Cherry-Evans to stand up against the Blues in the decider. And Cherry-Evans explained the moment that helped make him the Queensland leader he is today. "I got dropped (in 2015) and wasn't playing well enough to keep a spot in this side. I earned my spot back (in 2018) and I have literally played every game like it is my last," he said. "I have been doing that for nearly six years now. I know I am getting old and retirement becomes a bit of a talking point but I don't have any special news for you."
Cherry-Evans has played in two Origin deciders at Suncorp in 2020 and 2022 and won them both. "I am grateful to play and captain Queensland. I feel honoured every time I run out," he said.
"I am the first person to run out in front of the Suncorp crowd and I draw a lot of energy from that. It is a proud moment for me and my family. While I have the privilege of being captain I can't forget that I am a player first and a halfback so I have to make sure I do that properly."
