DCE’s final point wins his final game for Manly after Sea Eagles concede NRL’s fastest try

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One of the game’s longest goodbyes kicked off with the game’s fastest-ever try.

Daly Cherry-Evans finally farewelled the Manly faithful after 15 seasons and 352 NRL games on Friday evening.

Manly’s longest goodbye started with the NRL’s fastest try.

But the skipper was also involved in the New Zealand Warriors’ first try that was scored in just nine seconds.

Cherry-Evans appeared to be taking in deep breaths – almost savouring the special moment – when a Tanah Boyd kick-off sailed into his path.

The halfback danced to the left of the ball and allowed it to bounce. Winger Jason Saab failed to grab the ball and slipped, and Warriors skipper James Fisher-Harris could not believe his luck as he crashed over.

The supporters were still checking the footage of Cherry-Evans running out one last time on their phones when they looked up to see the visitors celebrating.

The Warriors celebrate James Fisher-Harris’ try after nine seconds.

The previous fastest try in the NRL was 2017 when Parramatta’s Kirisome Auva’a crossed after just 11 seconds against Brisbane.

Determined not to let it ruin his big night, Cherry-Evans produced a 40/20 kick a few minutes later, and Manly hit back through Lehi Hopoate. They went on to triumph 27-26, with Cherry Evans’ field goal proving decisive after a late Warriors try got them back to within one point.

Cherry-Evans is expected to join the Sydney Roosters on a one-year deal next season. The club and player have stayed quiet, just like 2017 when the Bondi club and Cooper Cronk remained tight-lipped until the respective club’s campaigns were over.

He finished the night with a left-footed field-goal from 19m out. It was the 29th of his career. The 17,172 fans also got a glimpse of the future with teen playmaker Joey Walsh debuting on the hour mark.

Even at 36, Cherry-Evans still has plenty to offer in the NRL. Manly have been savaged by injuries, especially to their forwards, so you can only imagine what DCE might do next year behind a fit and firing pack.

Hopoate helped himself to a first-half double, while Jake Simpkin and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak traded tries as Manly went to the break ahead 14-10.

Watene-Zelezniak could have had a double, only to be denied by Hopoate and the touchline approaching the half-hour. The winger wiped out a Fox Sports cameraman in the process, which left him with a gruesome leg injury and later rushed to hospital.

Warriors centre Rocco Berry was already en route to hospital after he dislocated his shoulder.

The Warriors will now most likely host the Panthers next weekend, but Cherry-Evans, Tom Trbojevic and Hopoate could have caused a few more headaches for opposition sides in the finals.

The Auckland side have hit a wall in terms of form, especially since the loss of their star playmaker Luke Metcalf, but they have had ample time to get their act together. One thing in their favour is hosting in front of their parochial fans.

Still, coach Andrew Webster would have loved to have seen a bit more from his side in the hope they could head into the new campaign with a bit of momentum.

Berry will not play next week, while back-rower Eddie Ieremia-Toeava also came from the field on the hour clutching at his right shoulder.