Cherry-Evans started under Des Hasler in 2011, then played for Geoff Toovey when Hasler left amid controversy to join the Bulldogs. Trent Barrett took the helm from 2016-18. He also left amid drama as Hasler made his second coming. Hasler was shown the door at the end of last season after again falling out with club management. Seibold is the club’s fifth coach (counting Hasler twice) in just over 12 years.

“This is my fifth change of coach, but you just have to embrace it, and I’ve never been one to dwell on change,” Cherry-Evans said.

“You always get a bit of sadness when it happens. I’ve had four really good coaches who have had an impact on me as a player and person. He [Hasler] was a very loyal man, which is something I will always appreciate.

“I’ve prided myself on being able to adapt, be it a rule change, a change in game plan or even a change in coach.”

Cherry-Evans worked with Seibold when he was an assistant to Barrett. He said the former South Sydney and Brisbane mentor had galvanised the playing group.

If Seibold’s time at the Sea Eagles is to be a success, he needs Tom Trbojevic fit and firing. He needs Cherry-Evans at his best nearly as much.

His World Cup setback has motivated Cherry-Evans. He also had to pick himself up after being stripped of the Kangaroos vice-captaincy, especially as coach Mal Meninga wanted him as James Tedesco’s deputy.

“I’m a competitive guy; I went over to England with the motivation to be the Australian halfback, but it didn’t work out,” Cherry-Evans said.

“That’s life. Sometimes you don’t get what you want, and you’re not the right man for the job. I’ve accepted it. But it’s given me extra motivation to keep my game at a higher level, and to try and go to another level this year with my teammates.

“I got dropped from the Australian team. That keeps the fire burning in the belly. It’s Nathan’s [Cleary] jersey until he retires now, but if a situation pops up where he’s not available, I want to be playing good footy so I’m straight back in there.”

Club legend Ken Arthurson, 93, still rates Cherry-Evans above Cleary, and says it is not his Manly bias.

“Irrespective of his age, in my view he’s still as good, if not the best halfback in the game,” Arthurson said.

Cherry-Evans will team up with Cooper Johns next Saturday against Canterbury in the Sea Eagles’ season opener. A few years ago, Johns made a point of studying the top halfbacks, taking one element of their game and trying to implement it into his own.

He liked the way Cleary dominated the middle third of the field, and noted Cherry-Evans was always pushing up in support.

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“Dad [Matthew Johns] always said ‘Chez’ was the best supporting half in the NRL,” Johns said. “If the ball goes the other way, his job isn’t done and he’ll push through the middle of the field. That’s why he gets so many long-distance tries. He’s always looking to capitalise on line-breaks.”

It’s been a difficult period on the northern beaches, but there’s a different vibe about the club in 2023. They have a new coach, and a skipper with a point to prove.

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