Daly Cherry-Evans still hasn’t revealed what he will be doing next year after leaving Manly.
Matty Johns has revealed the swaying power Roosters boss Nick Politis holds amid the club’s links to Daly Cherry-Evans after also questioning if the Bulldogs are out of the race for the halfback. Cherry-Evans has been heavily linked with a move to the Roosters after announcing he will leave the Manly Sea Eagles in 2026.
The Roosters have the salary cap space to sign Cherry-Evans and are expected to offer him a two-year deal, which would boost their chances of a premiership in this window. The move currently makes sense for Cherry-Evans, rather than returning home to Queensland, considering he wouldn’t have to uproot his young family.
There are suggestions the Roosters, or any rival team, might also call for Cherry-Evans to step down from State of Origin if he is to sign a two-year deal at 36 years old. And while there remains speculation over his next move, Johns has revealed the sway Roosters boss Politis holds when convincing players to join.
Politis famously convinced Cooper Cronk to leave the Melbourne Storm to join the Roosters in 2018 on a two-year deal, which saw the halfback help deliver a premiership to the club. The move came as a shock to everyone at the time, but not to Johns. The former five-eighth has revealed he nearly joined the Roosters in 2000, despite his desire to play in the Super League, after a brief meeting with Politis.
I remember meeting with Nick in 2000, I had already made up my mind I was going to Wigan. But the late John Fordham, said just meet with Nick, show him the respect. I said no problem. Nick sat there, and before talking any money, he spoke about the history of the club,” Johns told Bryan Fletcher on SEN Radio.
“I was sitting there and I had to tell him to stop. Because basically my dream was to play for Wigan, but the more he spoke, the more that dream was subsiding. If I had of let him reach his conclusion, I might’ve signed right there.”
Johns claimed Queensland great Cronk was also convinced after an interaction with Politis, which saw him make the shock switch at the time. And Johns’ story comes as Cherry-Evans fends off speculation over who he will be joining next year. But according to Johns, after meeting with Politis, it’s hard to turn down the Roosters. Furthermore, NRL greats Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns suggested he may already have a verbal deal with a club, both hinting Cherry-Evans’ most likely destination is his Sydney rivals.
Since his announcement he will leave Manly, it has also been revealed that Cherry-Evans’ management are also in charge of Roosters superstar James Tedesco, and Cowboys hooker Reece Robson. The kicker is 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 already have Sam Walker as their long-term No.7, but either him or Cherry-Evans could switch to No.6 if need be.
Daly Cherry-Evans still linked with the Bulldogs
Last week, Bulldogs general manager Gould claimed the Bulldogs were not in for Cherry-Evans, despite the links. Gould showered the Manly halfback with praise, but claimed the club were not making an approach. “I really admire DCE as a person. He’s an ornament to the game,” Gould said last week. “But Daly Cherry-Evans will not be coming to the Bulldogs.”
While this momentarily cooled speculation, Johns feels the Bulldogs are still an option and the club are using smoke and mirrors. “Boys, you just know how clever Gus Gould. I think the Bulldogs and the Titans are sleepers…so I refuse to believe they are ruled out. More so the Bulldogs…I wouldn’t rule the Dogs out,” Johns added.
While the Bulldogs could be an option, the Rooster remain the firm favourites with coach Trent Robinson playing it coy when asked about a deal. “We’re pretty clear about the development of them and that doesn’t change. We’re still heading on that path,” Robinson said.
“We know which direction we’re headed. You do have to be aware of movement (on the market) and understanding all that, but a lot of things have got to happen.”
