A Big congratulations to Daly Cherry -Evans who today end ends his contract with Manly Sea Eagles why signing a new contract with�

Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has responded to a rugby league legend’s claims he delivered a “cheap shot” to Blues back rower Angus Crichton in the series opener.

The eighth Immortal Andrew Johns lit an Origin fuse ahead of Game II, highlighting a moment where Cherry-Evans could be seen roughing up his opponent.

Johns urged Crichton to hit back should he receive the same treatment, saying “I actually saw a clip of a bit of cheap shot from Daly” on Channel 9’s Sunday Footy Show.

Cherry-Evans was asked about Johns’ comments during the Origin eve press conference on Tuesday, and he batted away the questioned.

“It’s the first I’ve heard of it, only because this time of year it’s honestly not in my best interests to be watching what you guys talk about,” Cherry-Evans said.

“I really don’t have a great understanding about what has been said this week, I’m just excited about going out there and playing.”

Cherry-Evans has a chance to secure his fourth Origin series as a skipper at the MCG on Wednesday night, however his last trip to Melbourne could haunt him.

On that night in 2015, the Maroons suffered a 26-18 loss, with his performance earning so much criticism it led to a three-year Origin exile.

Meanwhile, Cherry-Evans’ opposite man Mitchell Moses gets his first taste of the Origin arena in 2024, replacing Nicho Hynes after the Eels gun was ruled out due to a foot injury in the series opener.