Manly coach Trent Barrett has backed captain Daly Cherry-Evans to be among the favourites to claim the Dally M Medal at season's end.
The coach also gave an interesting defence of his much-maligned halfback, comparing him to one of the current-day greats.
Cherry-Evans has dished up 23 try assists this season, piloting the unfancied Sea Eagles to sixth place, with six games remaining.
"I've seen him grow as a person and a player," Barrett said of his skipper on NRL 360 on Monday night.
"He's probably been the form player of the competition this year and if we can keep winning he'll be thereabouts in the Dally M's."
The halfback was overlooked for State of Origin duties despite career-best form.
That lead many to believe the omission was personality based, an accusation emphatically denied by the Maroons hierarchy.
Barrett acknowledged the halfback was one of "the most polarising players in the game," but defended his leadership and impact at club level.
"We have a laugh (about him being a polarising figure)," Barrett said.
"But he's a clever person and articulate in how he speaks ... I don't think he's too different to Cooper Cronk in that respect."
Cherry-Evans will face Cronk's Melbourne Storm on Sunday, presenting another chance to show his detractors what Barrett has seen all along.
"I always saw a leader in Cherry. He's very likeable, a very popular player and I certainly wouldn't have made him captain if that wasn't the case," Barrett said.
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