NRL legend Daly Cherry-Evans is off contract at the end of the season and has made a decision on his Manly Sea Eagles’ future.
Veteran playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans has reportedly told Manly Sea Eagles of his intention to leave the club at the end of the season, having spent his entire career representing the club.
The 36-year-old, who has played over 330 games for the club, sees his contract expire at the end of the season and rather than re-signing a new deal as he has for the entirety of his career, the veteran is now set to leave.
Reports Down Under have revealed that Cherry-Evans has told Manly of his intent to leave the club at the end of the 2025 season, a decision that would end his 15 years of representing the Sea Eagles at the highest level.
He had previously been part of the club’s youth system meaning his exit would end an almost 20-year connection.
Daly Cherry-Evans makes Manly Sea Eagles’ exit decision
Credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz MANDATORY BYLINE/PHOTO CREDIT to PhotoSportNZ/SWpix.com
With over 20 appearances for both Australia and Queensland, Daly Cherry-Evans is among the most decorated playmakers of his generation though he has not won the Dally M in his career.
He has won five State of Origin series, one World Cup and one NRL competition with Manly but most impressive is his longevity of having played 332 games which puts him tied-15th all time.
Assuming he stays healthy this season, he will break into the top 10 and he will then continue to climb the ranking in 2026 with another club, following this latest decision.
What makes this saga so incredible is that as Fox Sports reported the news of Daly Cherry-Evans being set to leave Manly at the end of the year, the Sea Eagles actually contacted the broadcasters to confirm a new two-year deal for DCE.
On NRL 360, Brent Read received a text revealing that Kristian Woolf’s Dolphins were one of two sides leading the race, along with the Sydney Roosters.
Braith Anasta then revealed: “Breaking news (Sea Eagles CEO Tony) Mestrov and (Sea Eagles owner Scott) Penn have just contacted Fox League and said they are going to counter this with a new offer, so they don’t believe this is over.
“They are going to counter this with a two-year offer to DCE, so this is far from over by the sounds of it.”
New twist in DCE’s Manly future
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Another of those on the NRL 360 panel was Phil Rothfield who spoke with the Sea Eagles’ chairman Penn during an ad break with Penn telling Rothfield their position on Daly Cherry-Evans’ reported decision to leave.
“I Just spoke to the owner and chairman Scott Penn, who was surprised with the reports and said, they have not been officially told what has been reported elsewhere that Cherry-Evans is leaving,” Rothfield said.
“He said Manly were always under the impression that it was a one-year offer to him, but there was no hurry and we will chat when you are comfortable.
“He confirmed that they will now offer him two years and do everything possible to keep him at Manly.”
Unlike some other NRL veterans approaching the twilight of their career, it does not seem likely that we will get to see DCE in Super League and it could even be that he signs a new deal with Manly given this latest development.
