The Manly champion has announced he’s moving on at the end of the NRL season.
Questions are being asked about Daly Cherry-Evans’ relationship with coach Anthony Seibold after the veteran halfback announced he’s leaving Manly at the end of the NRL season. And a key detail surrounding his management might put the Roosters in the box seat to sign him.
Cherry-Evans dropped a bombshell on Monday night when he declared 2025 will be his final season with Manly, although he expressed a desire to play on next year. He said he won’t be rushing into a decision on his future anytime soon, but wanted to cut ties with Manly to provide some clarity on the situation.
In staggering scenes, Manly officials offered him a two-year deal worth $1.5 million while he was on-air with Channel 9 on ‘100% Footy’, which was relayed to him by host James Bracey. But Cherry-Evans knocked it back “respectfully” and said he’s made up his mind to leave.
It’s since been revealed that Cherry-Evans’ management are also in charge of Roosters superstar James Tedesco, and Cowboys hooker Reece Robson. But Robson is joining the Roosters in 2026, leading to speculation Cherry-Evans’ management are trying to assemble a superstar spine at the Bondi club.
The Roosters have form in the area, and made a similar move in 2018 when they snared Cooper Cronk from the Melbourne Storm in a stunning coup. The Roosters already have Sam Walker as their long-term No.7, but either him or Cherry-Evans could switch to No.6 if need be. The days of traditional halfback and five-eighth roles appear to be over, as we’ve seen at the Broncos, Sharks and Tigers.
Late last week, Wide World of Sports reported that Roosters officials have been in “hush-hush” talks about signing Cherry-Evans. The Sydney club reportedly view DCE as an ideal mentor to their young halves, and he’d be a significant upgrade on Chad Townsend.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis signed Townsend for a similar mentoring role, although he’s leaning towards retiring at the end of 2025. WWOS quoted a ‘senior Roosters official’ as saying: “It’s very hush hush at the moment and certainly no approach has been made. It may not even happen – but it is being discussed.”
Questions surround Cherry-Evans’ relationship with coach
Meanwhile, questions are being asked about the relationship between Cherry-Evans and Seibold, with a key revelation that Seibold didn’t attend the halfback’s wedding in the off-season. “Is he tight with the coach?” veteran journalist Phil Rothfield asked on NRL 360 on Monday night.
“DCE got married in the off-season and Seibold wasn’t invited, which I found unusual. I’m not saying there is a feud, I’m just wondering how close they are.”
Fellow panellist Brent Read replied: “I hear the same rumours you do and there has been some whispers around for a while that they are not super tight. They have a relationship obviously. He is the captain and Seibold is the coach, but they are not necessarily tight.”
Cherry-Evans revealed on Monday night that Manly hadn’t made a formal offer since he became a free agent in November last year. Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov responded on Tuesday morning, saying he was always under the impression that Cherry-Evans would either retire or head overseas. Upon learning that DCE is open to playing on in the NRL, Mestrov has since offered him a two-year extension.
“I have been sleeping on this decision since December. Talking to my family, we are okay with the decision. We are at peace with it,” Cherry-Evans said on Monday night.
“We understand that it’s not going to make everyone happy. There will be a lot of Manly fans really upset with this. I understand this. But as a family and a friendship group, we have been aware of it for a while now … and we’re content with this decision.”
