Cherry-Evans has sympathy for tacklers who hit him late

Daly Cherry-Evans admits he has some sympathy for defenders who rush out of the line and hit playmakers late after he wore several body blows in Manly’s win over Melbourne.

Cherry-Evans starred in the Sea Eagles’ 18-8 victory on Friday night, controlling the match for Manly despite being flattened by both Justin Olam and Tui Kamikamica.

The Melbourne pair are among several players set to endure a nervous Saturday morning waiting on the NRL charge sheet, after a wild night at Brookvale.

Both Olam and Kamikamica risk being charged with late contact for hitting Cherry-Evans well after he passed in the second half, earning time in the sin bin.

Storm second-rower Trent Loiero was also put on report twice.

He was penalised once for a hip-drop on Haumole Olakau’atu, while also being pulled up for a high shot on Tom Trbojevic that forced the fullback to leave the field for a HIA.

Manly winger Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega was also sin-binned for a late shot on Cameron Munster, while Jake Trbojevic was put on report for a lifting tackle after Munster had passed.

The issue of late shots on halves continues to be a significant one in the game, with foul play on playmakers making up a significant portion of the 41 sin-bins in 50 games this year.

The rules are in place to protect halves, with Andrew Johns having been vocal on the need for the NRL to eradicate the habit of hitting playmakers after they have relaxed from the game.

But Cherry-Evans admitted he had some level of sympathy to defenders trying to pressure halves like him.

“I think the game is protecting halfbacks and ball-players in general,” Cherry-Evans said.

“I do feel a little sympathetic to people who try and do what they are asked, which is put pressure on ball players.

“But that’s our game. You just have to make sure you get it right, otherwise there are repercussions.”

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy had less sympathy for his players, frustrated by the fact poor behaviour had left his team down to 12 men twice in the second half.

“I don’t know what planet they are on,” Bellamy said.

“You just can’t do that these days. You just can’t hit ball-players late with any force at all.

“We played half the second half with 12 men, that is hard work. And then when they had 12 men in the second half, we couldn’t get out of our own 20.”

Storm captain Christian Welch also hit out at the behaviour of his team, labelling it as “stupid s**t”.