Daly Cherry-Evans Rolls Dice on Rookie Half in Storm Survival Bid

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has taken a gamble on rookie halfback Cooper Johns, handing him the number seven jersey in a crucial match against the Sydney Roosters.

What happened?

On 15 July 2026, the Storm faced off against the Roosters in a high-stakes match, with the Storm trailing 12-6 at halftime. Bellamy made the bold decision to replace veteran halfback Jahrome Hughes with Johns, who was making his NRL debut.

Why it matters for Daly Cherry-Evans

Daly Cherry-Evans, the Storm's star halfback, has been in top form this season, leading the team to several victories. However, with the Storm struggling to find their rhythm, Bellamy's decision to give Johns a chance has raised eyebrows. Cherry-Evans will be keen to see how his teammate performs and whether it will impact the team's chances of winning.

What comes next?

The Storm will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing loss to the Roosters, and Cherry-Evans will be eager to see if Johns can bring some much-needed spark to the team. With the Storm's next match just around the corner, Cherry-Evans will be keeping a close eye on his teammate's performance.

The Storm's decision to give Johns a chance has been met with mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike. While some have praised Bellamy's willingness to take risks and give young players a chance, others have questioned the timing and the impact it may have on the team's chances of winning.

In the end, it will be up to Johns to prove himself and show that he has what it takes to make it in the NRL. With the Storm's season hanging in the balance, Cherry-Evans and the rest of the team will be relying on Johns to bring some much-needed magic to the table.

The Storm's next match is scheduled for 22 July 2026 against the Canberra Raiders, and Cherry-Evans will be eager to see how Johns performs in his debut match.

In the meantime, the Storm's fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that Johns can bring some much-needed spark to the team and help them turn their season around.

category: match_report