Tallis had a mighty shot at the No.7 after the Sea Eagles’ 0-2 start to the season and said the former Australian and Queensland pivot “didn’t care” about criticism directed at his coach Trent Barrett.

“There’s a young guy that’s got a 10-year deal who doesn’t really care, because he can’t get moved on because he’s going to get all of his money,” Tallis claimed.

Cherry-Evans has since hit top form, outplaying the game’s best player Jonathan Thurston in Manly’s victory over the Cowboys before putting on five try-assists in Manly’s annihilation of Canterbury.

A typically calm Cherry-Evans said he was unperturbed by Tallis’ comments.

“He’s entitled to his opinion and that’s fair enough,” Cherry-Evans told The Manly Daily.

“I’m a big boy, l’ve got thick skin around here, it’s going to take a bit more than that to hurt me.”

Cherry-Evans has arguably copped more criticism than anyone else since signing a lifetime deal with Manly in mid-2015 after reneging on a four-year deal with the Gold Coast.

“I accept criticism because everyone is entitled to their opinion but I make sure I’m listening to the ones that count to me,” he said.