Manly 'Disillusioned' over DCE saga

The elephant in the room at the Sea Eagles has been exposed, with the side struggling since Daly Cherry-Evans' dramatic announcement that he would be leaving in 2026. Manly have gone from title contenders to battlers, losing three of four games since DCE's declaration. I've been told that several of the club's young players are disillusioned following their inspirational skipper's decision and Manly are playing like a team in crisis. Head coach Anthony Seibold has been left with a tricky situation to manage with the season still in its early stages and players questioning what the future holds.

Whisper off the mark as club rules out Galvin offer

Manly have ruled themselves out of the running for boom Tigers playmaker Lachlan Galvin in the wake of the Daly Cherry-Evans circus at the Sea Eagles. Galvin's manager Isaac Moses is known to be considering pulling his star client out of the Tigers the first chance he gets and Manly seemed the perfect fit. Moses also manages Manly coach Anthony Seibold, fuelling speculation that Brookvale was the young star's preferred destination. A Manly insider told me the club will be putting its faith in young up and comer Joey Walsh, who they have been patiently grooming for the past couple of years. Signing Galvin would also put a massive strain on the Sea Eagles' salary cap at a time when they have virtually no wiggle room. A host of clubs are keen on Galvin - but the Sea Eagles aren't one of them.

Glamour Club 'Firming' For DCE

Still on Manly and DCE - and I copped plenty of flak right here two weeks ago when I dared to suggest that the Roosters were interested in the veteran halfback. Punters declared I was crazy, that he would never leave Manly, that the Roosters wouldn't sign an ageing halfback, blah blah blah. Two weeks down the track and word in clubland is that the Roosters are firming every day as favourite's to sign Cherry-Evans, followed by the Dolphins and Titans. The situation changes by the hour, with DCE keen to put the matter to bed quickly so he can get his name off the back and front pages.

'Genuinely doesn't know': Seibold opens up on DCE exit

Manly coach Anthony Seibold believes Daly Cherry-Evans genuinely doesn't know if he's going to be playing in the NRL next season. The Sea Eagles' skipper announced on Monday he would not be playing for the club in 2026, but did not say he would retire. If he elects to play on, the Roosters are favourites to secure his signature if he stays in Sydney, or the Dolphins - his former junior club - if he moves north. Cherry-Evans was denied an early release at the end of 2023. Off-contract at the end of 2025, he told Seibold and the club last December he would chase an extension. Despite having told the club he wants to leave twice, Seibold denied the suggestion DCE doesn't want to be at the club. "I don't think it's [that] he doesn't want to be here. My conversations with Chez I'll keep private, because that's the way it should be," he told The Sydney Morning Herald. "I feel Chez is very genuine with regards to him not knowing what he wants to do next. "Does he want to play on? Next birthday he's 37. Could he play on? I think he probably could, but only he can answer that. "As a 36-year-old who has played 332 games for our club – he's [also] played Origin and for Australia – ultimately he gets to make that call. "Of course people want to know [if and where he will play next], but I genuinely believe Chez hasn't made a decision about what he wants to do. "We're three rounds into a 27-round season. I think he should be able to make a decision on what he wants to do in his own time. It's a physical game."

Huge twist in DCE saga as potential replacement revealed

Manly's search for a halfback to replace Daly Cherry-Evans may have already begun. According to 9News Sydney's Michael Chammas, the club have been interested in luring Canberra playmaker Jamal Fogarty to the club since late last year. Fogarty has a mutual option in his contract for next year in the nation's capital, which is worth approximately $650,000. "They've had their sights on Canberra halfback Jamal Fogarty as early as last November to replace their captain," Chammas said on Wednesday night. "Sea Eagles have identified Fogarty as the ideal halves partner for Luke Brooks to replace Cherry-Evans when he leaves. "Complicating the matter is that Fogarty has an option in his contract with the Raiders, that they can take up and lock him down by round six. "If they don't do so, he will become a free agent for Manly to begin official negotiations." At 31 years of age, Fogarty is entering his prime years as a halfback and has started the season well for the Raiders, but the club have youngsters Ethan Strange and Ethan Sanders on their books long-term. Strange has partnered Fogarty since his arrival at the Green Machine last year, while the highly-touted Sanders moved from Parramatta in the off-season. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the halfback's management requested permission to negotiate with rival clubs last year, but were knocked back by Canberra. Ricky Stuart will reportedly fly to Queensland after the side's round five game to discuss Fogarty's future with player agent Chris Orr. At this stage, neither the Sea Eagles or Raiders have confirmed the reports.

'There is no problem': Manly boss refutes rift rumour

Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov has denied there's any animosity between the club, Daly Cherry-Evans or coach Anthony Seibold in the wake of the skipper's bombshell announcement he'll leave the Sea Eagles at the end of the season. The star's shock reveal on Monday night had fuelled swirling speculation that he was "not close" with coach Seibold but before a question was even asked about their relationship at a press conference on Tuesday morning, Mestrov attempted to put that notion to bed. "I just want to clarify that there is no animosity between Daly and the club," Mestrov said. "I spoke to Daly before I came into this press conference today. There is no problem with Daly and the club. There is no problem between Daly and me, personally. There is no problem with Daly and the coach. "Daly has told a few teammates that it will be his last year and it is (now) up to Daly to quantify whatever point he wants to but the ball is in the court in regards to the offer." Mestrov also revealed the club had a long-standing offer to Cherry-Evans of a coaching role post-retirement, and that they hadn't given up hope of a backflip from the 332-game veteran after going public with a two-year contract offer to retain the Queensland captain on Monday night, less than an hour after news of his looming departure broke.

Manly boss won't let sentiment cloud judgement on DCE

In a short time as CEO, Manly's Tony Mestrov has built a reputation as a fair but tough negotiator. He eyeballed Des Hasler and oversaw his departure from the club, eased Josh Schuster out of the joint and was pivotal in Scott and Kristie Fulton moving on. Mestrov also stood firm when there was pressure on him last year to rush a contract extension for coach Anthony Seibold. He put talks on ice while the 2024 campaign played out. Seibs eventually got his extra couple of years but was made to work for it. As a local junior who played front-row for the Sea Eagles, Mestrov is club first and anything but a pushover. Which brings us to the delicate topic of Daly Cherry-Evans. There has been plenty of discussion over whether the veteran halfback will kick on next year and perhaps even into 2027. Or he may retire at season's end. No one really knows at this stage. As is his way, DCE is keeping his cards close to his chest. But Mestrov possesses an equally good poker face. While totally respectful of Cherry-Evans' contribution to the club, Mestrov won’t let emotion dictate the biggest call Manly's had to make since signing the No.7 to an eight-year deal in 2015. The likes of Andrew Johns can rant and rave all they like over the club's supposed "disrespectful" negotiation tactics towards a possible DCE extension. It won't make any difference. Mestrov is not looking for a fight but won’t back away from a "take it or leave it" ultimatum if it comes down to it.

Shock Sydney club in 'hush hush' talks to sign Cherry-Evans

Sydney Roosters are considering making an audacious approach to Manly's veteran skipper Daly Cherry-Evans next season. In a move similar to the club's signing of former Storm halfback Cooper Cronk at the end of his career that produced two premierships in 2018-19, the Roosters see DCE as an ideal mentor to their young rebuilding team. Cherry-Evans is off-contract at Manly at the end of season and is yet to come to terms with the club and at 36, he is the oldest player in the NRL but still playing great football despite having more than 300 games to his name. Trent Robinson signed veteran playmaker Chad Townsend in a similar role this season, but he is expected to retire at year's end. Two senior Roosters sources confirmed the club's interest in Cherry-Evans - on the condition of anonymity. "It's very hush hush at the moment and certainly no approach has been made," one source told Wide World of Sports. "It may not even happen - but it is being discussed." The Dolphins - who are based in Redcliffe, where DCE began his career - are also believed to be keen on the State of Origin skipper.

Cherry-Evans' future unclear with Turbo set for switch

Daly Cherry-Evans' NRL future remains unclear with reports he's backflipped on a decision to play on past his current contract. The Queensland halfback is contracted until the end of the 2025 season but The Sydney Morning Herald has revealed he initially intended on signing for 2026 except now wants to see how the season unfolds. Cherry-Evans' potential retirement or the unlikely scenario of a move elsewhere could force a change to the spine for Manly. The Herald reports Tom Trbojevic could be in line to switch to five-eighth with Luke Brooks moving to halfback. Lehi Hopoate could be the man who takes over as fullback. Hopoate made his debut this year when Trbojevic was injured, playing his first four games at fullback. He impressed enough to keep his spot, playing from the bench once and on the wing for the rest of the season. Cherry-Evans has reportedly told Manly he wants to end his career as a one-club player but would no doubt have clubs willing to make offers if he opened himself up to rival clubs. The halfback has played 329 games for the Sea Eagles and won the 2011 grand final. Whether Cherry-Evans plays State of Origin this year remains to be seen as he prepares for his 15th NRL season.

Daly Cherry-Evans makes NRL retirement revelation after startling call from Andrew Johns

Manly veteran Daly Cherry-Evans has admitted he would be comfortable if his career ended with his current contract, as the Sea Eagles captain prepares to enter his eighth finals series on Sunday against Canterbury. The Manly halfback is contracted until the end of 2025, but there is currently no deal on the table beyond next year. Cherry-Evans is currently in pursuit of a second NRL premiership at the Sea Eagles after his first came as a rookie in 2011. But win or lose, big decisions are ahead for the Queensland State of Origin captain. The 35-year-old is off contract at the end of 2025 and can be approached by rival clubs from November 1 this year. He signed a 'lifetime' eight-year deal at Manly in 2015 and then extended it further in 2022 to become one of the highest-paid halfbacks in the game. However, his future beyond next year isn't clear despite stating that he would like to play on for at least a few more seasons. The playmaker will be 37 by the time the 2026 season rolls around, an age that many of the NRL greats before him had already called time on their careers. Cooper Cronk decided to hang up the boots at 35, while Andrew Johns announced his NRL retirement at 32. Johnathan Thurston pulled the pin at 35 and Darren Lockyer at 34, showing the incredible longevity of Manly's most-capped player. And Cherry-Evans said he will sort out his NRL future in the off-season but ideally wants to play on for a few more years. "It's something I haven't even stopped for a second to think about," Cherry-Evans told AAP. "As the captain and being a bit older, my priorities are leading with the actions and making sure our focus is where it needs to be. And that's finals footy.

Cherry-Evans' left-field role in bizarre Roosters signing

Should Chad Townsend thank Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans for his deal with the Roosters next season? The signing came out of left-field, and one theory behind it is the Roosters believe DCE will retire from rep footy after next Wednesday night's State of Origin decider. If that's the case, the Roosters' Sam Walker may well be next man up for the Maroons, leaving the Tricolours short of an experienced playmaker for a large slice of the season.

One thing Manly X-factor 'must get out of his game'

After the disappointments of 2023, the Sea Eagles look leaner and meaner as they approach the start of the new season.But their success may all come down to the oldest and most experienced halfback combination in the NRL - Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks.The pair have over 500 NRL games between them, making them among the most seasoned playmaker pairings in the game's history. DCE has had massive pressure on his shoulders in recent years, having to carry the burden of the playmaking duties without an established number six beside him. Josh Schuster was tried with only mixed results last year along with the likes of Cooper Johns and Jake Arthur.Brooks is a polished performer who will appreciate the rise in class from a struggling Tigers team to a talented Manly outfit.The two should complement each other perfectly and drive Manly back towards the finals in coming months.

Manly's plan to pinch rival 'wonder boy' revealed

Manly is starting to think about life after Daly Cherry-Evans - and a player high on the wish list is Tigers wonder boy Lachlan Galvin. DCE played as well as ever in 2023 and still has two years left on his contract at Manly. But by the time he has completed his 14th and 15th seasons with the club, he will be 36 years old and likely to hang up his boots. Galvin, 18, is regarded as the premier young halfback talent in the game and will join the Tigers' top-30 squad next season with a view to being blooded in the NRL late in the year. The Tigers have a high opinion of the Australian Schoolboys rep but also have an abundance of playmakers in their ranks - they have signed Jarome Luai, Jayden Sullivan, Aidan Sezer and Latu Fainu in recent months and also have Adam Doueihi in their ranks. Having so many playmakers on good money in their squad leads to an unbalanced salary cap and at least one or two will have to go in coming seasons. Galvin is managed by Isaac Moses - who also happens to handle Manly coach Anthony Seibold - greatly boosting the Sea Eagles' hopes of getting Galvin on board. No formal talks have been held - but watch this space.

DCE retirement theory explains Manly buys

Phil Gould has applauded Luke Brooks for putting himself first and switching to Manly, as the Canterbury Bulldogs supremo predicts the future of Daly Cherry-Evans may change soon.At 34, Cherry-Evans is in the twilight of his career, but is playing some of his best football after leading Queensland to another State of Origin series victory.The Manly halfback will attempt to rescue his side's season when his duties with the Maroons end, with the Sea Eagles currently 13th on the ladder.The club's signing of Luke Brooks on a four-year-deal seemingly offers them a replacement when Cherry-Evans retires, and Gould believes that won't be too far off. "I can't see Cherry-Evans going much beyond next year, if he plays next year," he said on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles with Gus podcast."I'm not saying I have any information on that, he's going terrific but you don't have to go until you're absolutely burned out before you retire."He's right on top of his game at the moment but he's 34 years of age."Gould went on to state the shrewd business from Manly has given them plenty of cover in a market where the halfback stocks are depleted or overpriced."The insurance for Brooks by staying for four years (is good business), he'll be 32 when he comes off this contract, which a lot of our top halfbacks are at least that, and more, at the moment," he said."You go out and try and buy one ... they're hard to come by and they're extremely expensive."I think it's a great buy and I think he'll do a great job and I'm very, very happy for Luke Brooks and I think the best part of his career is in front of him."Brooks' signature with Manly ends his long association with the Tigers, having debuted at the club in 2013.

DCE stat that will leave Sea Eagles sickened

It's the statistic that should make Manly's entire forward pack hang their heads in shame - the team's highest tackler in the disastrous 32-6 loss to the Broncos was halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.While the Sea Eagles' forwards were being trampled by their Brisbane counterparts, DCE - one of the smallest men on the field - did his best to stem the tide.He made 36 tackles in the 80 minutes on the likes of giants Payne Haas and Thomas Flegler … little wonder he was too exhausted to have much impact in attack.Coach Anthony Seibold needs to sit his big men down this week and tell them to pull the finger out in defence, take the heat off DCE and let him do what he does best - run the offence!

Father's ploy to lure disgruntled Bulldog to rival

Manly assistant coach Shane Flanagan is trying to get son Kyle to the Sea Eagles in 2024 in a bid to revive the halfback's career.Flanagan, 24, is coming off contract with the Bulldogs at the end of the season and is unlikely to be re-signed.The Sea Eagles are considering bringing him in and moving veteran Daly Cherry-Evans to five-eighth, then shifting the giant Josh Schuster to backrow or centre.Kyle played his best football under his dad early in his career at Cronulla, where he debuted in 2018 and looked the goods.He has lost his way in recent seasons at the Roosters and Bulldogs but his father believes the playmaker still has plenty to offer if used the right way.This season, Kyle has yet to score a try or come up with a try assist after eight rounds with the Bulldogs.Schuster has had a mixed year at five-eighth for Manly - on Sunday in the narrow win over the Tigers, he had eight runs for just 47 metres, missed five tackles and made four errors.Both Flanagans will deny all this - but it has been discussed very seriously in the corridors of power at Manly.

Daly Cherry-Evans under fire over confession amid Manly dramas

Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans has lashed out at the 'agendas' regarding him as leader after the club battles internal turmoil.Daly Cherry-Evans has been the centre of speculation for weeks as reports emerged of an alleged falling out with the Trbojevic brothers - Tom and Jake - and a reported rift in the playing group over his captaincy style.And Cherry-Evans has finally broken his silence and addressed the turmoil surrounding Manly and his role.The captain claimed the thought of leaving the club had 'crossed my mind' during the saga.But claimed he was allayed of some concerns when speaking to the club about the reported issues."I took a lot of satisfaction knowing where I stood," the Manly captain said, while on Tour with the Australian PM XI."There are some things I will never be able to control at Manly but the things I can control are the relationships I have with the coaching staff and playing group and the ownership."The more it has gone on, the better I have felt about it."It just reassured me that what I am doing at this club is the right thing."The love I have for the place hasn't changed. I am going to continue to try and get Manly back to finals next year and finish my career there."

The off-season 'Tom Brady' move fuelling Foran, DCE

Manly veterans Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans are channelling 'The Goat' - NFL legend Tom Brady - as they look to extend their careers.Foran, 31, is in his 14th NRL season, while DCE, 33, is in his 12th.They are among the greatest survivors in the toughest sport of all.But their longevity isn't even close to that of Brady, who is saddling up for his 23rd season of NFL football after a brief 'retirement' recently.The 44-year-old has won seven Super Bowls in his glittering career, staking a claim to be the best American footballer of all time.The two Manly stars, both big fans of the NFL, have been studying Brady's training regime in a bid to keep playing well into their 30s.Both are still playing good football with Cherry-Evans signing a new two-year deal only this week."We have looked at older guys like Tom Brady and how they manage to keep going so long," Foran told Wide World of Sports.

DCE's hidden pain in Manly resurgence

Manly maestro Daly Cherry-Evans is bravely battling a nagging groin injury that may require surgery at the end of the season. DCE suffered the injury in an early-season game but is continuing to soldier on, despite being in pain and discomfort at both training and on game day. The injury is the reason that Cherry-Evans has handed the Manly goal-kicking duties over to winger Reuben Garrick, as he tries to put as little strain on the groin as possible. With Tom Turbo back firing on all cylinders and DCE calling the shots at halfback, Manly are suddenly looking finals bound after a disastrous start to the season.