The Daly Cherrygraph

[The Who]

and have Humphrys playing 7, which looks pretty good at the moment.

Yes. Releasing Hunphreys is still a mystery. Why would the club do it if, as reported, it knew DCE wanted out? I'm on the side of the club, atm, but this is one issue that needs to be clarified.
Humphreys was on a reported $180K a season, so it wouldn't be hard for the club to bump up his salary in order to retain him. The narrative had been that he was released because DCE would block his entry into first grade for several more seasons and the club was acting generously . . .
I'm not so sure now.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Yes. Releasing Hunphreys is still a mystery. Why would the club do it if, as reported, it knew DCE wanted out? I'm on the side of the club, atm, but this is one issue that needs to be clarified.
Humphreys was on a reported $180K a season, so it wouldn't be hard for the club to bump up his salary in order to retain him. The narrative had been that he was released because DCE would block his entry into first grade for several more seasons and the club was acting generously . . .
I'm not so sure now.

It’s THE clear indicator that what the media are peddling is bull****.

Manly will have thought , another year , then bring through the youngsters , so we don’t need Humphreys.

Then got blindsided

 

[Under the Sticks]

It’s all part of “ the plan “.

You know he’ll be working there post retirement so they are building his persona into “ I’m the good guy here “.

They are all , journalists , scum of the earth these days.

I don’t read or watch any of it now.

Used to watch NRL360, no thanks

And there’s only 4 times I’ll ever turn Chan Nein on

3 x state of origin
1 x grand final

Not one single minute of anything any other time

And when Voss is commenting on Manly games.

 

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

You missed the bit about wanting a release in 2024, and going on TV to announce there is no problem with him and the club, but he is leaving and may play for any club but manly, and that manly never offered a contract, without saying he told the club he may retire or go to english SL instead.

There was a classier way to do this, but did it in a way that put a poor light on manly, the club he still captains and is trying to lead to a premiership this year

OK so we may never know but.... was his release request before or after the club was shopping him about without his knowledge?

 

[mickqld]

It’s THE clear indicator that what the media are peddling is bull****.

Manly will have thought , another year , then bring through the youngsters , so we don’t need Humphreys.

Then got blindsided

Foran revisited then. We let DCE walk because Foran was staying , nek minit, signed with Parra. Weak management in this place ever since Penn took over from Delmege.

 

[Brocky]

DCE knew Manly did not have the money so that is the reason he is leaving PERIOD.
Let’s move on !

 

[niccipops]

The real reason Cherry-Evans fell out of love with the Sea Eagle​

Danny Weidler​

The doublespeak and spin surrounding Daly Cherry-Evans’ relationship with Manly requires a team of investigators to sift through and understand. But the bad blood between the Sea Eagles and their skipper can be traced back to two separate incidents where the Manly great was sledged behind his back at public events.

Cherry-Evans revealed on Monday he would not be at the Sea Eagles beyond the end of this season.

Cherry-Evans' shock Manly decision​

At Magic Round last year a senior Manly figure with significant sway at the club was highly critical of Cherry-Evans, suggesting he had too much power at the club. The comments were made within earshot of select people, including rival NRL club officials. That led other clubs to believe Cherry-Evans was on his way out of Manly and that he could be a good buy when his contract expired at the end of 2025.

Some clubs even discussed the potential of signing Cherry-Evans as a result of the disparaging remarks, which were made in a public forum by a person who would have a better than reasonable idea about what was going on at the Sea Eagles. The same person then made similarly unfavourable comments at the end of the year on a football club cruise.

We have chosen not to name the person to protect the identity of our sources, who did not want to be identified, because there were a limited number of people who heard it.

The disparaging comments reached DCE’s camp. That’s when Manly started telling media privately of the plan to return Luke Brooks to halfback and move Tom Trbojevic to No.6.

Rival clubs were certainly aware of the divide at the Sea Eagles, and again the idea of signing DCE was raised by many of them.

It makes the spin, from both sides – that there are no issues between club and player – difficult to swallow.

But the spin is understandable given Manly’s desperation to avoid having their season totally derailed by their captain’s looming exit.

This column was hearing whispers of a potentially significant development last week, but no one from either camp would provide information. That’s why I led last week’s column with a piece indicating Manly believed DCE was going to retire at the end of the season, but that they had learnt how little they might have to pay him if he decided to play on.

In fairness, the journalists on the show did their best when hit with the thunderbolt Cherry-Evans news. You can’t blame the program for not knowing what was going on, despite having half-a-dozen News Corp journalists and their chief reporter on call.

DCE’s decision to leave Manly was a well-kept secret. It happens, and it has happened to this hack.

But for their reporters to peddle the line on podcasts since then that some kind of deal had been done between DCE and Nine Entertainment (publishers of this masthead) is fantasy stuff

The story was there for everyone to chase. And even after plenty of digging, and with the knowledge that DCE was to be a guest on 100% Footy on Channel Nine that night, at 2pm on Monday there was no story. The developments came after that. Not days or weeks in advance. It was a few hours before the 6pm news bulletin that Sydney Morning Herald journalist Michael Chammas and I knew we had the information we were able to share across Nine News and Nine newspapers.

The backside-covering later peddled by News Corp was preceded by the inept actions of an arrogant Manly club. The club that mismanaged the pride jersey situation took their bumbling show onto live TV to insist they had made an offer to their departing captain.

It was high farce – or silliness, as Wayne Bennett described it – as Manly gave one of the great rugby league knee-jerk reactions to a situation they thought they had under control.

It was Manly’s smugness that cost them their captain. Whether they actually wanted to keep him is doubtful. They did not make an offer for months when they had the chance. Throwing in an offer on live television after Cherry-Evans had announced he was leaving was ridiculous.

But the most confusing part was their claim they had made an offer to Cherry-Evans at midday on Monday. That simply did not happen.

One day, I’ll be able to explain how I know that is not true. But right now, the story is too hot. It’s fair to say there were several stories coming out of Manly that did not match up.

We were being told that there was a Monday afternoon meeting between Manly owner Scott Penn and chief executive Tony Mestrov to discuss an offer to Cherry-Evans. At the same time, we were told that an offer had been made at midday. The first the DCE camp knew of an offer was when it was announced on live television that night.

Manly need to have a serious look at the way they operate. There are many questions to be asked about who was ultimately responsible for what has taken place in the past week. A strong club would re-evaluate the way it does its contracting. Manly have considerable work to do in this area

DCE not fighting Wehbe’s battles​

The heavy influence of prominent manager Isaac Moses at Manly has been touched upon during the week. Moses manages coach Anthony Seibold, several players and also backroom staff. Cherry-Evans is managed by a company headed up by the Wehbe family. Joe Wehbe and Moses were business partners before an ugly split in 2018.

The two parties do not get on. But to suggest Wehbe is pushing DCE to get out of Manly to square up with Moses is not right. That’s an insult to DCE, as a 15-season veteran of the game. He is not going to make life decisions to fight other people’s battles, and knowing the Wehbes, they would never influence a player to do that.

Roosters in box seat, but ...​

So, after all that, where will Cherry-Evans end up?

He has told his agents he doesn’t want to make a call or talk until October, after the season is over. With the Bulldogs not in the race, it appears the Roosters are in the best position to sign him. I put it to the club several times and was dismissed with a smirk by club heavyweights.

The Roosters are surprised Canterbury have ruled themselves out. But they are also delighted. There was concern they were the genuine opposition.

The Dolphins are also still in the hunt for DCE’s signature.

What a surprise. A Manly bashing article, instead of telling it like it is. DCE wants to be paid more than, or as close to, a million, in his final years of NRL.
Lol. My sauces remain anonymous, but one day they will all speak publicly. Meanwhile, on the shelves at Woollies and Coles, the tomato, barbecue and Worcester sauces all know, deep in their anonymous, but saucy hearts, that this is all the Manly Club's fault. And poor DCE is just really struggling with the current cost of living.
BARF.
Go Manly!

 

[Rackets]

Lol it's actually hilarious how there are so many completely conflicting/opposed columns coming out from either side of the media wars!

Weidler = Manly have no idea and are a joke of a club re contracts
Rothfield = Dce is a greedy prick with no loyalty


Maybe it was just somewhere in between?

Never thought I'd say this but, I for once agree with Buzz. Weidler however, is a w***er.🖕 That I would've said many times.

 

[EaglesDontTweet]

Despite everything I'm feeling pretty confident DCE will be putting in his usual 100% today and for the rest of the year (if not released), not to impress the fans or any other club, just playing to his own standards. Throughout his career he seems like a player who isn't affected by outside noise. Think he will be fully ours, until he isn't.

 

[lsz]

This is my fav bit of the Danny W piece

One day, I’ll be able to explain how I know that is not true.

I am not one to make grand statements but when have any NRL journos ever comeback to a story? What a bull throw away line

 

[Stewbojevic]

Never thought I'd say this but, I for once agree with Buzz. Weidler however, is a w***er.🖕 That I would've said many times.

I actually met Buzz in Vegas this year. Prior to that I had a pretty poor perception of him and didn’t give him much of a go. One of the nicest blokes to meet and really happy to have a chat with a footy fan. Changed my perspective.

Weidler in the other hand… nothing could change my opinion about him, he’s a snake.

 

[manly al]

Don 't think it really matters in terms of Humphreys situation , whatever range of reasons or main reason, he or his management decided to move on towards the latter stages of last season .
D C E was still contracted for season 25 and another year or expectation of being mainly at Blacktown or Manly reserve grade either as a 7 or 12 , plus no doubt a bit more money on offer
Plus the addition of Joey Walsh by that time also .
Manly management again , had no intention of releasing D C E so Humphreys just opted for a better opportunity and should be really in the nothing to see here category

 

[Cliffy's Jockstrap]

The only definitely accurate and reliable thing in that Weidler piece was when he described himself as a Hack.

One might argue that other journalists in this drama have not yet attained even that level of reliability or accuracy.....

 

[Rafferty]

Lol it's actually hilarious how there are so many completely conflicting/opposed columns coming out from either side of the media wars!

Weidler = Manly have no idea and are a joke of a club re contracts
Rothfield = Dce is a greedy prick with no loyalty


Maybe it was just somewhere in between?

Maybe both could be closer than you think……..

 

[mickqld]

How's the two braincell deficient clowns Johns and Fittler. So full of mis informed bullsh*t , just dribbling sh*t they have no idea about, throwing out speculation scenarios. What a bunch of fu*king wankers. DCE will fit right in with them.

 

[Rackets]

Ben Teo was right all those years ago, and it's obvious the 'germ' hasn't changed

 

[danny-boy]

It’s all part of “ the plan “.

You know he’ll be working there post retirement so they are building his persona into “ I’m the good guy here “.

They are all , journalists , scum of the earth these days.

I don’t read or watch any of it now.

Used to watch NRL360, no thanks

And there’s only 4 times I’ll ever turn Chan Nein on

3 x state of origin
1 x grand final

Not one single minute of anything any other time

I just watched wide world of sports and Joey, Slater, and Fittler were all laying the boot into Manly while praising DCE saying he’s the most valuable player on the market.

Absolutely ****ing disgusting.

 

[Ned]

Despite everything I'm feeling pretty confident DCE will be putting in his usual 100% today and for the rest of the year (if not released), not to impress the fans or any other club, just playing to his own standards. Throughout his career he seems like a player who isn't affected by outside noise. Think he will be fully ours, until he isn't.

Well allegedly he hasn't got a contract for next year, and the origin team hasn't been selected, he'll play his best at least until those things happen.

 

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

Hmmm. Suddenly the slightest scent of the bitter, grubby whisper of Hasler in the player's eaear.

To be fair Most players would probably have wanted out after Seibolds first year in charge. He's not exactly the greatest coach in history.

 

[LeonardCohen]

OK so we may never know but.... was his release request before or after the club was shopping him about without his knowledge?

He didn’t get shopped around by the club…his manager was putting out feelers to then agitate for a release. Obviously he got what he was after, hence the release request. He got shopped by his manager, not the club.

How do I know? Because there would have been clubs lining up, like there are now, to buy him. A player like DCE doesn’t get rejected when he is shopped around. He gets snapped up.

It’s akin to believing that Cleary came on the open market but there were no takers 😂 then a year later, suddenly he is the hottest commodity available?!