AMID REPORTS OF BIG MONEY, MOST FORMER GREATS CAN’T CHOOSE WHICH ONE TO KEEP
AS THE weeks drag on, Manly’s chances of retaining their scintillating halves beyond 2015 look grim.
In a dream scenario for those who love the Sea Eagles, Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans will play out their careers at Brookvale Oval.
The reality is that one of them is likely to move on come October.
So,with that in mind, this week the Manly Daily spoke to a number of former greats to ask if,they had to choose one player over the other, who they would side with.
Such is their worth, only 2008 premiership-winning halfback Matt Orford was bold enough to go with the boy from Redcliffe.
“Daly is the organiser — he drives the team on the park,’’ Orford said. “I would make DCE a priority signing, you can build a club around him.”
The likes of Manly godfather Ken Arthurson, Cliff Lyons and John Gibbs all had the same response – the duo can’t be split.
Arthurson went a step further, declaring they could end up the best halves combination the game has seen.
“They complement one another so well, so I think their dynamic nature on the field will be diminished if one goes elsewhere,’’ he said.
“Money isn’t everything, you also have to consider factors such as family, lifestyle and whether it is the right move long term.
“Both of them would be foolish to contemplate playing elsewhere.”
When mulling over who also could offer an expert opinion on the matter, coach Geoff Toovey could not comment for obvious reasons and the same applied to Des Hasler, given he coaches the Bulldogs.
Collaroy-based Greg Alexander is a massive fan of both players. The Fox Sports commentator and Penrith legend feels the pair justify the massive money reportedly on offer.
“I have read what the (Gold Coast) Titans are tabling for Daly, it would be hard to say no ,’’ he said.
“I love watching both of them play — you have Daly’s creativity and Kieran’s toughness.
“The Manly board will do well to keep both on their books – if they do so, it will be remarkable.”