First casualty of Cherry-Evans plot falls as Roosters questioned
The club has been warned it is heading into murky waters with the former Queensland State of Origin captain struggling to perform for Manly since announcing his decision to leave the cub at the end of the 2025 season.
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The worst-kept-secret of his move to the Roosters on a one-year-deal has looked worse and worse for the Bondi club as the season progresses with Sam Walker and Hugo Savala beginning to prove they have the potential to be an elite halves pairing.
It was easy to see during the Roosters' 64-12 thumping of the Dolphins on Saturday that the Roosters do not even need the services of the Sea Eagles halfback.
Giving Cherry-Evans the No. 6 jersey would likely relegate Savala to reserve grade — and it is now clear Smith has been informed he does not have a future at the club.
That was confirmed on Monday night when leading NRL reporter Michael Chammas said the Raiders are looking the likely destination for Smith to head.
'Sandon Smith's been given formal permission by the Roosters to negotiate with rival clubs,' Chammas said on Channel 9's 100% Footy.
'He's been in conversations with the Canberra Raiders. The Raiders are looking at some depth. I don't know if it will play out that way, whether or not he wants to go somewhere and start.
'Option are limited.'
It comes as the Roosters were warned the club may have made a big mistake in chasing DCE so early in the season.
Former Roosters five-eighth Braith Anasta said on Fox League's NRL 360 on Monday night Cherry-Evans' for slump is concerning.
'Walker and Savala, they were great on the weekend,' Anasta said on NRL 360.
'DCE was poor. The DCE issue, I know we've spoken about it a lot, but it's getting bigger because his form is dropping by the game, and Savala was outstanding on the weekend.
'The Roosters have found form. It is a little bit concerning now. They've got him coming in for Savala, and Sandon (Smith) moving on, most likely.
'Every week that goes on, I start going, well, hang on.
'As the year's gone on, his form's dropped. Next year's another year, another year older.'
NRL 360 co-host and Broncos icon Gorden Tallis also questioned the Roosters' call.
'Are they getting itchy feet, the Roosters? I'm going to keep on asking until it's confirmed,' he said.
'He's played a lot of footy, right, and father time catches up with everybody, even up heartbreak hill.'
Leading rugby league journalist Phil Rothfield said Cherry-Evans move could have deeper ramifications across the Roosters' playing group.
'Walker's got the best short kicking game in the comp, Hugo Savala's got a long distance kick, they combine beautifully,' Rothfield added.
'The thing that worries me about DCE going to Easts, I know what a tight group they've got at the moment.
'I think it might upset the mechanism.'
Walker on Monday night said Cherry-Evans would be welcomed to the club if the veteran does make the move at the end of this season.
'Yeah for sure,' he said on Channel 9 when asked about DCE's expected move.
'I've said it the whole time. He's a grand final winner. Captained our state. He's someone I've definitely looked up to as well. To welcome someone of his calibre to our club is exciting. I know us as a club would welcome it.'
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