Origin I in sight for DCE
DALY Cherry-Evans is plotting a Maroons miracle with Queensland’s incumbent halfback revealing he is ready to defy the medical odds to make a shock comeback for Origin I.
Speaking exclusively to News Corp about the injury blow that could cost him the Maroons captaincy, CherryEvans yesterday uttered the words every Queensland fan is hoping to hear.
“I can make it back in time,” Cherry-Evans said.
“I’m definitely a chance for Origin I.”
Cherry-Evans — Queensland’s No.1 halfback and frontrunner to succeed Greg Inglis as captain — underwent surgery last Tuesday after suffering a grade-three ankle ligament tear in Manly’s 24-20 defeat of the Raiders.
The traditional recovery time for that operation is eight to 10 weeks, a scenario that could threaten to wipe CherryEvans out of the entire Origin series.
But a more modern procedure has seen several AFL stars return to action in four to five weeks.
That is the time frame Cherry-Evans is banking on.
The Maroons ace will rely on around-the-clock icing and a $35,000 treadmill developed by American space agency NASA to ensure he runs on to Suncorp Stadium for Origin I on June 5.
Recalled to the Queensland team for Origin III last year after three years, CherryEvans was superb, piloting the Maroons to a face-saving 18-12 victory in the Suncorp dead rubber.
“If I missed Game One I’d be gutted.
“I will do everything possible to play,” Cherry-Evans said.
“I am going to give myself every chance to play for Queensland.
“It’s a genuine possibility of me playing Game One.”