13-05-2025
Daly Cherry-Evans tipped for early exit amid telling moves from Manly and Roosters
Former NRL premiership winner Matty Johns reckons the recent clean-out of players at the Roosters could be an indication the Tri Colours are looking to sign Daly Cherry-Evans this season, before his contract with Manly runs out. DCE has made it clear this will be his 15th and final season with the Sea Eagles, and Manly's form has taken a nosedive since the captain made that bombshell announcement in March.
The Roosters are widely expected to sign the 36-year-old on a reported two-year dal worth $1 million per season but nothing has yet been confirmed by the club or player. Roosters coach Trent Robinson admitted again this week that DCE is a player they're interested in but brushed off suggestions they are releasing players to free up salary cap space for the veteran halfback.
Robinson's side agreed to release injured hooker Brandon Smith to Souths this week, and the Kiwi Test star suggested DCE's move to the Roosters was already 'signed and delivered'. The Tri Colours were also happy to let out-of-favour winger Dom Young return to the Knights until a financial dispute over his wages scuppered the move. And the Roosters have also reportedly offered Chad Townsend to rival clubs after dropping the veteran halfback earlier in the season.
Johns says it could be a sign the Roosters are trying to free up cap space to sign DCE this season. And he believes the fact Manly have named teenage playmaker Joey Walsh in the extended squad for Saturday's game against the Cowboys is further evidence the Sea Eagles are planning for life without DCE.
Walsh is viewed as a long-term successor for Cherry-Evans in Manly's halves but suggestions are the 18-year-old is not quite ready to step up to first grade. The Sea Eagles have agreed a three-year deal to bring Canberra halfback Jamal Fogarty to the club as DCE's replacement from next season, but Walsh's elevation to the Manly reserves could be an indication he's line for an NRL debut in the coming weeks when Cherry-Evans is expected to be away on State of Origin duty.
Speaking on SEN radio, Johns says the situation at Manly and the Roosters' willingness to move on players suggests Robinson's side might be trying to sign the Sea Eagles skipper before this year's June 30 deadline, rather than waiting until next year. "There's been a bit of talk about this the other day when players were being released (by the Roosters) and I said 'ah for DCE for next year'.
"But they were so urgent to get rid of some blokes and now it's come out that Chad Townsend (is being offered to rival clubs). I'm thinking what's at play here? Is there a chance of him (DCE joining before the June 30 deadline). It could happen and as you said Joey Walsh being named on the extended bench. Might be something at play boys. And how big would that be?"
Roosters great Bryan Fletcher agreed it might also be best for the Sea Eagles after pointing out that DCE's form had taken a massive dip since he announced he was leaving Manly. "Well he's not happy there, as we know, because he's not staying there," Fletcher said. "And I mean he's been a fantastic player but the last month something's been on his mind.
"Because he hasn't been great. Especially last week (against the Sharks), he missed a couple of tackles that led to tries. So maybe he's thinking 'it's coming' you know." Johns says the nature of Manly's poor defeat at home to Cronulla last week - coming off a bye and a solid win against Penrith two weeks ago - showed to him there's more going on at the Sea Eagles than just inconsistent form.
"There's more at play," he said. "They had a week off to prepare for that Cronulla game so two weeks to prepare... and we expected them to come out flying. But they were so slow out of the blocks and just some of the things the players were doing, which has never been their get-up.
"Like Haumole (Olakau'atu) was taking the ball up and trying to pass before the line and you're going 'what's going on here'?" Fletcher feels that "there is tension at the club between the players over the (DCE) announcement" and has urged Manly's captain to come out and clarify his future for the good of the team.
