Cherry-Evans seeing only positives ahead of Brookvale return

Daly Cherry-Evans has played 137 games at Brookvale Oval across his 17-year career in the NRL.

On Thursday, he’ll play his 138th, but for the first time, it’ll be for the other side.

Cherry-Evans returns to Brookvale Oval for the first time since joining the Sydney Roosters; one of the season’s most anticipated grudge matches scheduled for the opening match of Round 4.

It’s unclear if the Roosters’ five-eighth will be greeted with cheers or boos by the Manly faithful, but Cherry-Evans isn’t phased by what’s coming his way on Thursday, in fact, there's plenty here's more excited about.

“Honestly, I haven't thought too much about it. Our season hasn’t started off to plan so there’s been more to focus here at the Roosters than to worry about when the game against Manly was coming,” Cherry-Evans said.

“There’s obviously a level of excitement to it all.

“I wouldn't say there's a heap of negative emotions towards the game because that's a place that held a special place in my heart for so long and there's still a lot of lifelong friends there that I'm looking forward to going up against at the club.

“I’m not going to know what it’s like to walk in there as an opposition player until Thursday night. There will be new emotions that come with walking into Brookvale as a Rooster but I’m really confident in, not just myself, but the people around me that it’s going to be a good night.

“I’m fine with whatever comes my way, but I’ll tell you what, if the last six months is any reflection, based on the amount of people I’ve seen in the community and Manly fans, it’s been nothing but positive.

“That’s not to say some people there might be a bit more negative, but overall, my relationship with the hill has been awesome the whole way through.

“It’s not to say people won’t boo, but I’m very, very comfortable with so many friendships and relationships I’ve got with the Manly fan base.

“It’ll be really cool to play against some friends that I've had the fortunate side of playing alongside them for so many years, this will be a cool experience to play against some friends, who would've thought.

“Growing up whether it's just your local footy you play against your mates from school sometimes and that was a great thrill, you wanted to get bragging rights so you could roll into school on Monday and brag.

“It’ll be no difference with this game. It's done at a higher level with more on the line but ultimately among friends… bragging rights will come after the game.”

Cherry-Evans played 352 games for Manly, holding the club record for most games played, and most games as captain.

He has scored 99 tries across his career, meaning he could bring up his 100th try at Brookvale Oval.