Brisbane Broncos linked with Daly Cherry-Evans, Manly issue a hands-off warning to rival clubs
By Peter Badel
The Courier-Mail
February 28, 201210:25AM
In demand ... Will Manly hold onto their premiership winning halfback? Source: Brett Costello / News Limited
Manly have issued a hands-off warning to rival clubs eyeing off Daly Cherry-Evans as the Broncos refute speculation they are plotting to poach the Test playmaker.
The Sea Eagles' bid to retain Cherry-Evans comes at a time when the Broncos are facing their own personnel headaches, with a $5 million retention drive leaving star duo Ben Te'o and Gerard Beale fighting for new deals.
Manly have begun talks to upgrade the contract of Cherry-Evans, who is signed until the end of 2013 but can activate a get-out clause this season.
The Broncos have been repeatedly linked with the Maroons Origin hopeful, due largely to coach Anthony Griffin having ties with Cherry-Evans' father Troy and his uncle Steve, a legend at the Redcliffe club Griffin formerly coached. .
But after re-signing 10 topliners in the past year, including halves Peter Wallace and Corey Norman last Friday night, the Broncos moved to scupper claims they want Cherry-Evans at Red Hill.
"I don't know about that relationship (between Griffin and the Cherry-Evans family) but we've never talked to another half, including Cherry-Evans," Broncos operations and recruitment chief Andrew Gee said.
"We already have Ben Hunt signed and we now have Peter Wallace and Corey signed as well.
"We try to retain what we have within. We're happy with what we've got, we want to shore up our roster for the next two or three years and give this competition a good shake."
Cherry-Evans, 23, is the most sought after halfback in the code after leading Manly to last year's premiership with an outstanding rookie season.
The Mackay product could command upwards of $500,000 on the open market, but Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey said Manly showed faith in Cherry-Evans when others wouldn't.
"It's a bit discouraging for a club when you put a lot of development into a kid and then other clubs want to buy him," Toovey said.
"I know there is interest in him. The Broncos have a lot of young talent already but to be honest he was up there (in Queensland) and was overlooked.
"We've developed him and we want him here as long as possible. He's come through our system, we're looking to upgrade him now and hopefully we can do it soon."
The Broncos insist their ability to retain the off-contract Te'o and Beale is of greater concern than any purported big-money play for Cherry-Evans.
By Peter Badel
The Courier-Mail
February 28, 201210:25AM
In demand ... Will Manly hold onto their premiership winning halfback? Source: Brett Costello / News Limited
Manly have issued a hands-off warning to rival clubs eyeing off Daly Cherry-Evans as the Broncos refute speculation they are plotting to poach the Test playmaker.
The Sea Eagles' bid to retain Cherry-Evans comes at a time when the Broncos are facing their own personnel headaches, with a $5 million retention drive leaving star duo Ben Te'o and Gerard Beale fighting for new deals.
Manly have begun talks to upgrade the contract of Cherry-Evans, who is signed until the end of 2013 but can activate a get-out clause this season.
The Broncos have been repeatedly linked with the Maroons Origin hopeful, due largely to coach Anthony Griffin having ties with Cherry-Evans' father Troy and his uncle Steve, a legend at the Redcliffe club Griffin formerly coached. .
But after re-signing 10 topliners in the past year, including halves Peter Wallace and Corey Norman last Friday night, the Broncos moved to scupper claims they want Cherry-Evans at Red Hill.
"I don't know about that relationship (between Griffin and the Cherry-Evans family) but we've never talked to another half, including Cherry-Evans," Broncos operations and recruitment chief Andrew Gee said.
"We already have Ben Hunt signed and we now have Peter Wallace and Corey signed as well.
"We try to retain what we have within. We're happy with what we've got, we want to shore up our roster for the next two or three years and give this competition a good shake."
Cherry-Evans, 23, is the most sought after halfback in the code after leading Manly to last year's premiership with an outstanding rookie season.
The Mackay product could command upwards of $500,000 on the open market, but Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey said Manly showed faith in Cherry-Evans when others wouldn't.
"It's a bit discouraging for a club when you put a lot of development into a kid and then other clubs want to buy him," Toovey said.
"I know there is interest in him. The Broncos have a lot of young talent already but to be honest he was up there (in Queensland) and was overlooked.
"We've developed him and we want him here as long as possible. He's come through our system, we're looking to upgrade him now and hopefully we can do it soon."
The Broncos insist their ability to retain the off-contract Te'o and Beale is of greater concern than any purported big-money play for Cherry-Evans.
