Queensland halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has come to terms with last night’s Origin series defeat but admitted the feeling inside the Maroons shed after the match was one of loneliness and emptiness.
Cherry-Evans overcame a troublesome knee to take the field last night, but despite his best efforts to help take the series to a decider in Brisbane, the Blues prevailed to end Queensland’s remarkable eight-year Origin stranglehold.
“The feeling after the game was really quite empty. It was a very lonely feeling,” Cherry-Evans said.
“However, I’ve come home and seen the family and it has put everything back into perspective and eases the pain a lot more.”
The ace No.7 managed to get through the full 80 minutes on Wednesday night and insists he will be doing everything he can to return for the Sea Eagles on Saturday as they face Cronulla at Remondis Stadium.
“I certainly don’t enjoy missing any form of rugby league and if there’s an opportunity for me to play without doing any further damage then I’ll be out there for Manly this weekend,” Cherry-Evans said.
“It’s a bit stiff this morning as expected. I really did work it pretty hard earlier on in the week to get on the field. Now that I have got through the game it is a bit stiff and I’ll be looking to rest it over the next coming days and get myself right to get out on the field for the Sea Eagles again.”
Cronulla will be hoping to welcome back Origin duo Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis for their clash this Saturday. The pair were inspirational for NSW and could prove difficult to shut down, as they will be on a high after clinching the Origin series for the first time since 2005.
“If the two boys do eventually back up then I may try and be a bit smarter and steer away from them guys,” Cherry-Evans laughed.
“They are obviously two big intimidating men out there. For our sake as a team, I hope they don’t back up because they are two very good players, but if they don’t, we’ll find a way to beat them with them out there.”
