The most surprising thing to come out of Daly Cherry-Evans’ mouth on Saturday night was a reference to Ted Lasso, but the most meaningful takeaway was that injured halfback Sam Walker is on track to make a timely return in the preliminary final.
The Roosters are through to the grand final qualifier after they beat the Sharks 46-10, with Cherry-Evans starring with a try and three assists just six days after he missed a close range field goal against Penrith.
Walker missed both of those games as he continues to recover from a syndesmosis surgery just a few weeks ago that was supposed to end his season.
But the Queensland playmaker resumed training this week and just needs to tick a few boxes to get the green light to take on the Dolphins on Friday night.
“He’s just been relentless in his recovery. It’s been so great to watch him, and to be honest, it hasn’t been surprising,” Cherry-Evans said in the Allianz Stadium sheds after the big win over Cronulla.
“He’s an extremely competitive person. The team means a lot to him, the opportunity to play deep into finals means a lot to him. There is no surprise he is putting himself in the frame to play next weekend.”
Experienced forward Angus Crichton made his return from a lengthy injury lay-off on Saturday night and was phenomenal with 10 line-bending carries off the bench.
He has spent plenty of time with Walker in the rehab group and hopes to have him back on the field next week.
“He’s been great. I am so happy for him, just to see him running around, he looks like he is in less pain than I am. He’s showing off,” Crichton said.
“I am so happy for him and he is working really hard. He deserves it, so hopefully he can keep pushing it and come back.
“He is running, kicking and doing everything at training. It’s pretty impressive. He is a big part of this team and worked so hard, like all of us have.”
If Walker returns then Cherry-Evans will shift to five-eighth which means Hugo Savala would likely become the bench utility.
Next week’s game will be Cherry-Evans’ last one in the NRL if they lose, with the 37-year-old off to the English Super League next season.
“When you’re in a semi-final, everyone is aware of the situation. And as our coach said, what is on the other side is a very rewarding feeling and opportunity,” he said.
“At no stage have we made it about me or anyone who is leaving the club, because while those things create great headlines, they distract us from what we need to do here, which is play footy.”
Sentiment and storylines mean nothing for the man who won a title with Manly in 2011, with his early days setting up an easy narrative for the preliminary final.
Cherry-Evans was born in Redcliffe and his dad played for them, but he isn’t buying into the fairy tale that awaits him next week.
“I completely understand the sentiment, but they are just storylines. At the end of the day, we’re playing a prelim,” he said.
“We actually don’t care where we had to play it. We just wanted to give ourselves an opportunity and we have created that opportunity.
“Now we just have to get our bodies recovered and our minds right and go after it again like we did tonight.”
That ability to block out the noise has helped Cherry-Evans throughout his illustrious career, with the former rep star moving on after last week’s costly miss.
Cherry-Evans responded with a man-of-the-match showing on Saturday night, with Ted Lasso’s famous line ringing true that the happiest animal is a goldfish because it’s got a 10-second memory.
“I reckon I have been pretty consistent on this message throughout my career. You won’t find anyone harder on my own game than myself. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
“But what happens next is if I carry my divots, I’m then not only putting myself out, but my team out. From the words of the great Ted Lasso, memory of a goldfish.”
Originally published as ‘Memory of a goldfish’: How Ted Lasso helped DCE this week as Sam Walker eyes stunning return