With the passing of a ferocious Sydney thunder storm, Brookvale oval slowly filled with fans. The power was back on and the lake-like surface had drained away. Fears of a late start or even a cancellation abated, the return of one of Manly's favourite sons would go ahead. As Daly Cherry-Evans, a living legend of the Manly Warringah Rugby League Football Club, jogged onto the field wearing his Sydney Roosters warm-up gear to a cacophony of boos, his smile broke into laughter.