State of Origin legend announces retirement decision ahead of do-or-die clash between Queensland and NSW in Brisbane
Daly Cherry-Evans has revealed when he will make a decision on his State of Origin future, amid swirling speculation around the 35-year-old’s place with the Maroons.
The Queensland halfback will lead his state into battle on Wednesday night, with the arch rivals tied on one win apiece heading into the decider in Brisbane.
Victory for the Maroons would seal a third-consecutive Origin series triumph, a feather in the cap for the wily halfback who has featured in both games this year.
But his under-par display in the second game, in which virtually every Queensland player faltered as the Blues secured a resounding victory, has led to rumblings about whether Cherry-Evans will call it quits.
Sam Walker is snapping at the 35-year-old’s heels for a place in the team, with many earmarking the Roosters star as the heir to Cherry-Evans’s throne.
But the Manly legend has quietened the noise surrounding his future ahead of the Brisbane battle on Wednesday.
‘I’ve said this and I can’t be any clearer – I don’t make these decisions during the year,’ Cherry-Evans said on Monday.
‘I do my best thinking in the off-season, but while I’m in the thick of it, I’m just gonna keep enjoying it. I love this job and it’s crazy that I even call it a job.
‘I promise you, there won’t be an announcement. People won’t know until the off-season, I’ll put it that way – I don’t want any special treatment.’
The script would seemingly write itself for a fairytale farewell should Cherry-Evans lift the famous shield in front of 50,000 fans on Wednesday, but the veteran is far from bothered about a Hollywood ending.
‘I don’t need a fairytale to finish, I’m playing for reasons and obviously I enjoy the game and love the game,’ he said.
‘I’ve been doing it for pretty much six years now. I got dropped [in 2014] and wasn’t playing well enough to keep a spot in this side, but I earned my spot back and I have literally played every game like it’s my last.
‘I know I’m getting old so retirement becomes a bit of a talking point, but I honestly don’t have any special news for you and I’m just gonna keep enjoying it.’
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