Losing legend players

sheridanstand78

First Grader
Its an experience that we all go through as fans, losing a legend and the end of an era.

I first experienced this at the end of the 1976 season, the club had just won its 3rd premiership and our best player arguably best ever decided to join Eastern Suburbs for the 1977 season.Ir

I was a 9 year old boy and I remember crying in devastation that this happened, not understanding why? and resenting Easts for years because of it.

It was later when I heard Arko explain what actually happened. Packer wanted Fulton, offerred him a huge amount of coin and Bozo had the courtesy to ring Arko from Packers office to let him know and Arko gave his blessing. It was dignified and respectful and later Bozo returned as First Grade coach and coached the club to 2 x premierships. Bozo to this day is a legend of our club!!

I know understand that DCE has decided to quit the club at the end of this season. He made this decision in December 2024 to do this. Why did he announce this after round 3 of this season? For him to say there is nothing to see in relation to any bad blood with the management of the club is extroadinary! It would have been much better if he had informed the club as it would have given us a chance to retain young Humphries and give us a succession plan.

The timing of this is really lousy. I am not upset that DCE is leaving but its the way hes done it which reminds of the carnage of the 2015 season where he played ducks and drakes, paraded himself to other clubs publicly, signed with the Titans and only changed his mind when a huge contract was offered to him by a desperate club. Well that season was a disaster as Foran was half the player and had signed with the worms and Toovey got sacked.

DCE will always be regarded as a club legend for the over 300 games hes played, that is a tribute to him, his fitness, dedication and drive to succeed. This move and the timing of it means he will not be remembered as kindly as some of our veterans are.

When you think of the amount of players who left our club due to our restricted salary cap, which is heavily invested in DCE and a few others, it just saddens me that some players took unders to stay to be a part of a winning team.

This move suggests that he deep down he does not believe we can win a premiership with this team. Its only round 3 and its going to be a battle to get it right when the team will endure week after week after week of speculation of what DCE will actually do?

I wish that DCE would make the call if hes determined to play and tell the fans out of respect where he intends to play?

To have this dragging on all season is really disprectful to the club who gave him his chance, stood by him and moved heaven and earth to retain him.

I see a silver lining is this. As upsetting this news is, its finally a chance to get some balance in our salary cap. I know the club is looking at the next steps in relation to the Turbos as well, so hopefully we can have some cap to invest in areas of the team that are weak.

For DCE to expect that its business as usual is extremely naive to say the least. Everyone needs closure on this ASAP, this cannot be allowed to fester!

We need a succession plan and we need to announce our next Captain ASAP.

The club will move on as will DCE. In my book I will great play but again tarnished his standing in the legends of this club.

There needs to be some serious questions asked as to how this has unfolded?, it has made the club look shabby, reactive and blindsided by this development deonstrated by offering him a new contract publicly, Rothtool could not believe his luck last night! It should have been a simple conversation at the end of last season and if DCE was thinking of moving on it should have been announced, giving the club time to retain his successor, ensure that he goes out in style, now we have to watch this drag out and it truly threatens our season.

DCE,You've told us you are leaving the club, now come clean about what you are going to next!

The club always comes first!
 
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I’ve always supported Daly ( as a player ) when so many on here constantly belittled him.

BUT this **** show has really tarnished his reputation with most Manly fans.

If he decided last year he was wanting “ two big dollar years “ this should have been conveyed to the club before they let young Humphreys go, and as club captain there should have been an agreement that any announcement would be made at the end of the 2025 season , probably just before the last home game.

How much classier would that have been.

Now , he’ll probably get boo’s as he runs on for the next game and let’s face it , from that interview he’s already “ checked out “ so the year is “ possibly “ ****ed already.

This will be his legacy , not the 300 games but the way he shat on the club on the way out.
 
I’ve always supported Daly ( as a player ) when so many on here constantly belittled him.

BUT this **** show has really tarnished his reputation with most Manly fans.

If he decided last year he was wanting “ two big dollar years “ this should have been conveyed to the club before they let young Humphreys go, and as club captain there should have been an agreement that any announcement would be made at the end of the 2025 season , probably just before the last home game.

How much classier would that have been.

Now , he’ll probably get boo’s as he runs on for the next game and let’s face it , from that interview he’s already “ checked out “ so the year is “ possibly “ ****ed already.

This will be his legacy , not the 300 games but the way he shat on the club on the way out.
Nailed it
 
Its an experience that we all go through as fans, losing a legend and the end of an era.

I first experienced this at the end of the 1976 season, the club had just won its 3rd premiership and our best player arguably best ever decided to join Eastern Suburbs for the 1977 season.Ir

I was a 9 year old boy and I remember crying in devastation that this happened, not understanding why? and resenting Easts for years because of it.

It was later when I heard Arko explain what actually happened. Packer wanted Fulton, offerred him a huge amount of coin and Bozo had the courtesy to ring Arko from Packers office to let him know and Arko gave his blessing. It was dignified and respectful and later Bozo returned as First Grade coach and coached the club to 2 x premierships. Bozo to this day is a legend of our club!!

I know understand that DCE has decided to quit the club at the end of this season. He made this decision in December 2024 to do this. Why did he announce this after round 3 of this season? For him to say there is nothing to see in relation to any bad blood with the management of the club is extroadinary! It would have been much better if he had informed the club as it would have given us a chance to retain young Humphries and give us a succession plan.

The timing of this is really lousy. I am not upset that DCE is leaving but its the way hes done it which reminds of the carnage of the 2015 season where he played ducks and drakes, paraded himself to other clubs publicly, signed with the Titans and only changed his mind when a huge contract was offered to him by a desperate club. Well that season was a disaster as Foran was half the player and had signed with the worms and Toovey got sacked.

DCE will always be regarded as a club legend for the over 300 games hes played, that is a tribute to him, his fitness, dedication and drive to succeed. This move and the timing of it means he will not be remembered as kindly as some of our veterans are.

When you think of the amount of players who left our club due to our restricted salary cap, which is heavily invested in DCE and a few others, it just saddens me that some players took unders to stay to be a part of a winning team.

This move suggests that he deep down he does not believe we can win a premiership with this team. Its only round 3 and its going to be a battle to get it right when the team will endure week after week after week of speculation of what DCE will actually do?

I wish that DCE would make the call if hes determined to play and tell the fans out of respect where he intends to play?

To have this dragging on all season is really disprectful to the club who gave him his chance, stood by him and moved heaven and earth to retain him.

I see a silver lining is this. As upsetting this news is, its finally a chance to get some balance in our salary cap. I know the club is looking at the next steps in relation to the Turbos as well, so hopefully we can have some cap to invest in areas of the team that are weak.

For DCE to expect that its business as usual is extremely naive to say the least. Everyone needs closure on this ASAP, this cannot be allowed to fester!

We need a succession plan and we need to announce our next Captain ASAP.

The club will move on as will DCE. In my book I will great play but again tarnished his standing in the legends of this club.

There needs to be some serious questions asked as to how this has unfolded?, it has made the club look shabby, reactive and blindsided by this development deonstrated by offering him a new contract publicly, Rothtool could not believe his luck last night! It should have been a simple conversation at the end of last season and if DCE was thinking of moving on it should have been announced, giving the club time to retain his successor, ensure that he goes out in style, now we have to watch this drag out and it truly threatens our season.

DCE,You've told us you are leaving the club, now come clean about what you are going to next!

The club always comes first!
Pretty fair analysis I reckon… the issue I have with Chez saying “I will decide when I am ready” is that clubs do not just hold the sort of coin that he will demand vacant in their salary cap up until the end of the previous season…

Chez would need to make a call no later than June I would imagine in order to allow clubs to finalise their rosters… it is April now (basically) so that gives him about 8 weeks to make up his mind… he could not put off the media for 8 weeks? I just think this was a F*CK YOU” to certain individuals at Manly (which can not end well)
 
I’ve always supported Daly ( as a player ) when so many on here constantly belittled him.

BUT this **** show has really tarnished his reputation with most Manly fans.

If he decided last year he was wanting “ two big dollar years “ this should have been conveyed to the club before they let young Humphreys go, and as club captain there should have been an agreement that any announcement would be made at the end of the 2025 season , probably just before the last home game.

How much classier would that have been.

Now , he’ll probably get boo’s as he runs on for the next game and let’s face it , from that interview he’s already “ checked out “ so the year is “ possibly “ ****ed already.

This will be his legacy , not the 300 games but the way he shat on the club on the way out.

I have long looked forward to the day we were rid of him.

Always been smug and unlikeable, plus he's a Qlder.

A fine player but Toovey has him covered in so many areas it's not a fair comparison.

I hope he goes to The Titans with Hasler and then Penn buys them.

Arseclown.
 
DCE will always be regarded as a club legend for the over 300 games hes played, that is a tribute to him, his fitness, dedication and drive to succeed. This move and the timing of it means he will not be remembered as kindly as some of our veterans are.
I don’t think DCE will go down as a club legend but will be remembered as a good player who could play close to 350 games for the club, a decent achievement and in rare company there.

The reason I don’t think he can be remembered as a club legend is down to his latest media circus, why this was done on a tv show and not through a club press conference is beyond belief from a club captain, he has tarnished his reputation and legacy with this move.
 
A long time ago in the same galaxy....there was a similar situation where some absolute Manly legends got together to take a pay cut to keep the team together,,,,except 1 individual who wasn't prepared to do this for his mates, fans or himself....which created a rift amongst the team that never healed, in fact tore the team apart in a period Manly were dominant and imo, could have won another premiership or 2.
Personally I'll be cheering DCE on for the Remainder of 2025, as a Seaeagles fan I feel it's the right thing to do, but feel a bit disheartened knowing internally this could well effect and impact the playing group moving forward
 
I have long looked forward to the day we were rid of him.

Always been smug and unlikeable, plus he's a Qlder.

A fine player but Toovey has him covered in so many areas it's not a fair comparison.

I hope he goes to The Titans with Hasler and then Penn buys them.

Arseclown.

Lol he's a Qlder. Good one 🤦🏻‍♂️
 
I don’t think DCE will go down as a club legend but will be remembered as a good player who could play close to 350 games for the club, a decent achievement and in rare company there.

The reason I don’t think he can be remembered as a club legend is down to his latest media circus, why this was done on a tv show and not through a club press conference is beyond belief from a club captain, he has tarnished his reputation and legacy with this move.
Nah it’ll fade… Tallis is remembered as a legend player and not for sitting out a season as a f*** you to the dragons…

Us football nerds remember it but only old-timer drag queen fans actually continue to give a f*ck about it..

If Chez DID go on and win a premiership at another club (and I hope against all hope that he does not) then he would create a legacy story that makes this little sideshow (and possibly his 300+ games at Manly) fade even further into the background…
 
The only reason I can see any of it making sense is if we have a plan for 2027 (Humphreys return) and a 2 year extension for cherry would get in the way unless we needed to outbid another offer to keep him a one clubber.
 
A long time ago in the same galaxy....there was a similar situation where some absolute Manly legends got together to take a pay cut to keep the team together,,,,except 1 individual who wasn't prepared to do this for his mates, fans or himself....which created a rift amongst the team that never healed, in fact tore the team apart in a period Manly were dominant and imo, could have won another premiership or 2.
Personally I'll be cheering DCE on for the Remainder of 2025, as a Seaeagles fan I feel it's the right thing to do, but feel a bit disheartened knowing internally this could well effect and impact the playing group moving forward
Amen to that he has always been solely about himself good riddance
 
Where the club might have handled things better? By not tabling an 11th hour contract offer! That makes it look like they’re desperate, when in fact we look to have a good succession plan in place.

Looks like he is still keen on a media role post-football. He was asking questions of other panellists, but perhaps more importantly, dropping an appropriate number of ‘g’s’ etc. off the end of words* - normally ending in the letter ‘g’ - to fit right in with his fellow rednecks (like Gallen) on the panel.😉

*’Doing’ became ‘doin’’, et al. It’s like Nicole Kidman - re-adopting an Australian accent - after she split up with Tom (Fast) Cruise. DCE is gradually reverting to ‘Redcliffe speak’.🙂
 
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If you're gonna do this to your Club and all your fans for the last 16yrs 300+ games, let's do it in styles and go out with a BANG. Premiership is the only way to forgive and forget and you'll be forever love by the Club and loyal fans FOREVER, and we'll wish U all the best. Not that majority won't but they'll b some that won't forgive.

Looking forward to U replacing Seib in the very near future and become another ex Premiership player coach to bring us more GLORY GLORY TO MANLY
 
Its an experience that we all go through as fans, losing a legend and the end of an era.

I first experienced this at the end of the 1976 season, the club had just won its 3rd premiership and our best player arguably best ever decided to join Eastern Suburbs for the 1977 season.Ir

I was a 9 year old boy and I remember crying in devastation that this happened, not understanding why? and resenting Easts for years because of it.

It was later when I heard Arko explain what actually happened. Packer wanted Fulton, offerred him a huge amount of coin and Bozo had the courtesy to ring Arko from Packers office to let him know and Arko gave his blessing. It was dignified and respectful and later Bozo returned as First Grade coach and coached the club to 2 x premierships. Bozo to this day is a legend of our club!!

I know understand that DCE has decided to quit the club at the end of this season. He made this decision in December 2024 to do this. Why did he announce this after round 3 of this season? For him to say there is nothing to see in relation to any bad blood with the management of the club is extroadinary! It would have been much better if he had informed the club as it would have given us a chance to retain young Humphries and give us a succession plan.

The timing of this is really lousy. I am not upset that DCE is leaving but its the way hes done it which reminds of the carnage of the 2015 season where he played ducks and drakes, paraded himself to other clubs publicly, signed with the Titans and only changed his mind when a huge contract was offered to him by a desperate club. Well that season was a disaster as Foran was half the player and had signed with the worms and Toovey got sacked.

DCE will always be regarded as a club legend for the over 300 games hes played, that is a tribute to him, his fitness, dedication and drive to succeed. This move and the timing of it means he will not be remembered as kindly as some of our veterans are.

When you think of the amount of players who left our club due to our restricted salary cap, which is heavily invested in DCE and a few others, it just saddens me that some players took unders to stay to be a part of a winning team.

This move suggests that he deep down he does not believe we can win a premiership with this team. Its only round 3 and its going to be a battle to get it right when the team will endure week after week after week of speculation of what DCE will actually do?

I wish that DCE would make the call if hes determined to play and tell the fans out of respect where he intends to play?

To have this dragging on all season is really disprectful to the club who gave him his chance, stood by him and moved heaven and earth to retain him.

I see a silver lining is this. As upsetting this news is, its finally a chance to get some balance in our salary cap. I know the club is looking at the next steps in relation to the Turbos as well, so hopefully we can have some cap to invest in areas of the team that are weak.

For DCE to expect that its business as usual is extremely naive to say the least. Everyone needs closure on this ASAP, this cannot be allowed to fester!

We need a succession plan and we need to announce our next Captain ASAP.

The club will move on as will DCE. In my book I will great play but again tarnished his standing in the legends of this club.

There needs to be some serious questions asked as to how this has unfolded?, it has made the club look shabby, reactive and blindsided by this development deonstrated by offering him a new contract publicly, Rothtool could not believe his luck last night! It should have been a simple conversation at the end of last season and if DCE was thinking of moving on it should have been announced, giving the club time to retain his successor, ensure that he goes out in style, now we have to watch this drag out and it truly threatens our season.

DCE,You've told us you are leaving the club, now come clean about what you are going to next!

The club always comes first!
Agreed. Choc was right too.
 
A long time ago in the same galaxy....there was a similar situation where some absolute Manly legends got together to take a pay cut to keep the team together,,,,except 1 individual who wasn't prepared to do this for his mates, fans or himself....which created a rift amongst the team that never healed, in fact tore the team apart in a period Manly were dominant and imo, could have won another premiership or 2.
Personally I'll be cheering DCE on for the Remainder of 2025, as a Seaeagles fan I feel it's the right thing to do, but feel a bit disheartened knowing internally this could well effect and impact the playing group moving forward
Very good point mate, I remember that well
 

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