After another superstar display there's no doubt in Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans' mind that Tom Trbojevic is the best player in the NRL.
And he's convinced it's going to stay that way.
In what may have been an ominous display for the Queensland captain, the NSW Origin star played a starring role as the Sea Eagles piled on nine tries in the second half to claim a thumping 56-24 win over Gold Coast on Sunday.
The Sea Eagles' fullback scored three tries, set up four more and had two linebreaks and seven tackle busts in an amazing performance.
It continues a run of form that stretches back to his return from a long-term hamstring injury in round six.
"He gets my vote," Cherry-Evans said when asked if Trbojevic is the game's No.1.
"He's worked so hard on his game and we're obviously all going to continue to talk about how good he is with the footy but he does a lot for us defensively as well.
"He's in a real nice purple patch at the moment but I believe it's sustainable.
"I think he can keep it going. I don't think it's just a little spike in his career."
Despite that belief, Cherry-Evans will attempt to find a way to stop his club teammate when the Maroons try to bounce back from their Origin I flogging by the Blues in game two next Sunday.
"We got a really close look at it in the first game," the Maroons' skipper said.
"He was a big part of their win, off the back of a real powerful display from their forwards.
"We've got our work cut out for us but I believe after looking at it, watching it and getting out there, we'll learn from that."
Australian Associated Press
