Daly Cherry-Evans Escapes Ban, Focuses on Roosters'

Daly Cherry-Evans will lead the Sydney Roosters into Friday night's preliminary final after escaping suspension for a trip. The veteran halfback was fined $1000 by the NRL Match Review Committee for an incident in the semi final win over Cronulla, clearing him for the season-defining clash against the Dolphins.

Sam Walker's expected return is a huge boost for the Roosters. The young halfback has been racing to recover from a syndesmosis tear suffered less than a month ago. Coach Trent Robinson said he was "pretty confident" Walker would be available for the preliminary final after the No.7 resumed training and kicking last week. His partnership with Cherry-Evans, who is playing his 378th NRL game, will be central to the Roosters' hopes of advancing.

Cherry-Evans' own finals form has been a talking point. After a tough outing in the week-one qualifying final loss to Penrith, which included a missed field goal, he rebounded strongly in the semi final. The 37 year old scored a try and set up three others in the 46-10 demolition of the Sharks. He credited a simple mindset shift for the turnaround. "I have been pretty consistent on this message throughout my career. You won't find anyone harder on my own game than myself," Cherry-Evans said.

The trip on Sharks forward Teig Wilton in the 60th minute of the semi final sparked immediate controversy. The Bunker official called it "a penalty and is on report," noting Cherry-Evans extended his leg in an unnatural action. Cronulla players argued for a sin-bin, but the Match Review Committee deemed it a Grade 1 offence. Experts like Fox League's Luke Keary predicted the outcome, saying, "It's a Grade 1 fine." The $1000 penalty means the Roosters' most experienced player avoids a ban that could have ended his season.

Friday's game could be Cherry-Evans' last in the NRL. If the Roosters lose to the Dolphins, it will end a remarkable 16 season career that has seen him become the competition's second most capped player. The match carries extra personal significance as his father, Troy, played hooker for Redcliffe, the club that forms the foundation of the Dolphins. Cherry-Evans, however, is brushing off the sentiment. "I completely understand the sentiment, but they are just storylines," he stated. "At the end of the day we're playing a prelim. We actually don't care where we had to play it."

• Available for Prelim: Daly Cherry-Evans received a $1000 fine, not a suspension, for his trip on Teig Wilton.
• Walker Returns: Halves partner Sam Walker is on track to return from a syndesmosis injury for the preliminary final.
• Career on the Line: A loss to the Dolphins would end Cherry-Evans' 378 game NRL career.
• Form Bounceback: After a quiet qualifying final, Cherry-Evans had a try and three assists in the semi final win.

The Roosters' entire season now hinges on their performance this Friday. With Walker back and Cherry-Evans cleared to play, they have their preferred playmaking duo intact for one of the biggest games of the year.