Latest news with #CliveChurchillMedallist
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ivan Cleary responds after DCE floated to partner Nathan in Panthers' halves
Ivan Cleary has rejected suggestions the Penrith Panthers could make a play for Daly Cherry-Evans to partner son Nathan in the NRL team's halves. Speculation is rife about where Cherry-Evans might play (if at all) in 2026 after he dropped a bombshell on Monday night that he's leaving Manly. Cherry-Evans said 2025 will be his last season with the Sea Eagles, but he expressed a desire to keep playing. Rumours are rife that he might have already signed a lucrative two-year deal with another club, and the most popular option amongst pundits is the Roosters. Some have suggested the Panthers might be an option because Cherry-Evans is looking to win one more premiership before the end of his career. He might view the Panthers as the best club to do that, and a halves combination of DCE and Cleary would be formidable. But when asked about the possibility on Tuesday afternoon, Panthers coach Cleary said it won't be happening. The four-time premiership winner simply declared: "He wouldn't be in our price range." The Panthers' salary cap constraints are well-documented, and most recently they had to let Jarome Luai leave to join the Tigers on $1.4 million per season. While Manly have only offered Cherry-Evans $750,000 per season, a rival club will no doubt be willing to offer $1 million. RELATED: Manly forced into unwanted move with Turbo after Cherry-Evans quits Payne Haas' scary revelation as Ben Hunt lifts lid on rival poaching bid As Cleary stated, it's highly unlikely the Panthers would have the money to lure DCE, and they're focused on building up their young halves like Jack Cole, Blaize Talagi and Trent Toelau. The Roosters are believed to be in the box seat to sign Cherry-Evans because they have the cap space to get it done. If they've already signed the veteran halfback it would explain why they were so willing to let Terrell May depart. Crucially, Cherry-Evans' management team also looks after Roosters superstar James Tedesco, as well as NSW State of Origin hooker Reece Robson - who has signed with the Chooks for 2026. If he's got the same manager as Ben Hunt, we could sign Daly and Tom — 91 03 21 22 23 24 PREMIERS 🐾🏆 (@SnoogThe) March 25, 2025 The Dolphins are also being floated as a top contender to snare Cherry-Evans because he grew up around the Redcliffe area and played junior footy there. Cherry-Evans' father Troy played for the Dolphins in the Brisbane Rugby League comp. Dolphins CEO Terry Reader is known to be interested in pursuing the 2013 Clive Churchill Medallist, but insisted on Tuesday he would not rush an offer. "The facts here are that we are very happy with the players we have signed moving into 2026," Reader told AAP. "This is the NRL and part of your job is to explore interest from good players. But in this case, that is not an issue now as the player himself said he wants to take some time to gauge what he wants to do." Dolphins prop Daniel Saifiti said he'd love to play with the Manly champion and predicted he'd take young halfback Isaiya Katoa to the next level. "I'd love to play with him," he said. "He hasn't lost his step. He's got so much time, he's silky with the ball, but I (like) his leadership and talk. "You see him talk off the field and that's the way he talks on the field. I hear him barking orders. If he's here, it's amazing, and if he's not we've got young upcoming halves that'll do the job." The Bulldogs are also believed to be in play for Cherry-Evans after they tried to sign Ben Hunt in the off-season. Canterbury are yet to sign halfback Toby Sexton beyond this season. And the Gold Coast Titans could also loom as a dark horse given Cherry-Evans' close bond with Des Hasler. DCE and Hasler won a premiership together in 2011, and Hasler was in attendance when Cherry-Evans got married in the off-season.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Behind-the-scenes drama at Cronulla as Sharks premiership heroes cop brutal snub
Veteran rugby league reporter David Riccio has revealed some drama behind the scenes at the Cronulla Sharks after 11 players were inducted into the NRL club's inaugural Hall of Fame, and some big names missed out on Tuesday night. Club legends Andrew Ettingshausen, Gavin Miller and Steve Rogers were given the ultimate honour after being featured in a new artwork that will take pride of place at the entrance to Sharks Stadium. It was unveiled during the gala event in front of around 300 fans and VIPs. The trio of Cronulla greats were among those granted automatic entry into the club's first Hall of Fame, along with Tommy Bishop and Greg Pierce - due to their previous recognition as Sharks Immortals. Six other club legends were also honoured after being picked by the Hall of Fame selection panel that included Riccio and fellow league journalist Phil Rothfield, plus Cronulla chairman Steve Mace, CEO Dino Mezzatesta, Immortals Ettingshausen and Miller and chaired by Sharks historian Ashley Taylor. There was no surprise to see Cronulla's 2016 premiership-winning captain Paul Gallen take his place in the club's Hall of Fame, with David Peachey, Dane Sorensen, Brett Kimmorley, Jason Stevens and Mat Rogers the other players inducted. However, some massive names from the Sharks' first and only premiership side in 2016 were ultimately overlooked, including Clive Churchill Medallist Luke Lewis, Andrew Fifita and Michael Ennis. And as Riccio pointed out, the omissions sparked plenty of debate and led to some heated scenes on the night. "There was certainly argy-bargy behind the scenes," Riccio told SEN radio on Wednesday. "Remembering that this is a footy club that has enjoyed so much success around the 2016 premiership and largely when you reach your greatest heights at a club with a premiership you'd think that a large majority of those players from that successful period would be honoured and added directly into the Hall of Fame. "Certainly that was an argument and there were so many wonderful players that could easily have gone in last night, such as Andrew Fifita, Luke Lewis, James Maloney's impact on that team to go and win the '16 premiership. So there was plenty of debate around that... however, this is the inaugural Hall of Fame for the Cronulla Sharks." Plenty of familiar faces on the red carpet as we gear up for tonight's inaugural Hall of Fame event — Cronulla Sharks (@cronullasharks) February 18, 2025 Riccio was keen to stress that those players he mentioned would inevitably be recognised for their contributions to the club at a later date, even if they were unlucky to miss out this time. But he also pointed out how special the night was for many of those players who were included such as Ettingshausen, who was brought to tears during emotional scenes. "They needed to start somewhere and when you start somewhere you have to go back first and that was certainly the occasion last night... It was so emotional for so many legends of this footy club," Riccio added. "I have never seen Andrew Ettingshausen so emotional to the point he could no longer get any more words out due to the tears rolling down his throat." Criteria for being included in Cronulla's Hall of Fame included the player's performances on the field for both the club and in rep footy, winning a premiership with the Sharks and playing more than 100 first grade games for Cronulla. It also took into account individual accolades and club best-and-fairest awards, with Sharks historian Taylor saying it "suitably represents the first half-century" of Cronulla's existence. RELATED: Matty Johns calls out Munster detail in $1.2m Dylan Brown truth bomb Panthers in $100k farce as Trbojevic and Luai detail adds to fan anger Reece Walsh in huge news with Latrell Mitchell as Broncos chase $100k 'Our newly established Hall of Fame, along with our set criteria, now provides clear and concise guidelines for the future,' Taylor told News Corp. 'This inaugural class of inductees not only comprises club legends but also suitably represents the first half-century of our club. It was not without much deliberation and thought that this first group of legends came to be inducted, with so many great players having played for this great club. We hope this Hall of Fame and its inductees will serve as a catalyst for conversation across generations.' Sharks CEO Mezzatesta described the gala event as a "fitting way to pay tribute" to some of the club's greatest players. 'Congratulations to the 11 players inducted, who will be forever enshrined in Sharks folklore for their unrivalled courage, tenacity, passion and brilliance," he said. "On the eve of another exciting NRL season, it was significant for all involved to recognise our rich history and honour the players who have shaped this club.'
