The Daly Cherrygraph

[SeaEagleRock8]

The question is will Slater choose DCE ahead of Dearden and Munster? Guess Dearden could fill the 14 role but surely Studs will be thinking about the future and the need for change after a series loss

Will depend on form and fitness.
As for Dearden... he has played exclusively at 5/8 for the Cows for the last 3 years, and his only appearances for Aus and Qld have also been at 5/8.
Not to say he couldn't play halfback, but he hasn't been.
Sam Walker would have been the guy but doubtful as he recovers from injury.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

What is inevitable is that we need to actively plan for life after DCE.

 

[eaglebuzz]

I don't mind if we replace DCE after this year if Onitoni Large or Joey Walsh is ready to step up. Realistically, DCE probably only has a year or two of good footy left in him and we could use the salary cap space.

 

[MadMarcus]

I’m not liking the tone in some of the reports. I’d hate to see DCE in another club’s colours.

It is disappointing for our captain to be talking like that. It lacks class for him to be talking publicly about the possibility of playing for other clubs while his future is yet to be determined. Ideally he would just want to play for us after all these years. That is a high bar in this day and age, so I don't necessarily expect that, but he shouldn't be encouraging the media to shine a light on his contract negotiations in the way these comments will. He could have just said I am playing well, happy with my physical condition, and in talks with Manly about extending my contract. That doesn't necessarily preclude him leaving if he decides to do so.

 

[Seagles68]

He could name his price at PNG.

Also considering how lower clubs tend to pay overs I would think he would get more than what he is on at Manly

You think he could get headhunted?

 

[Dion Johnson]

'Feeling really good' - Cherry-Evans commits to 2025 season as Sea Eagles chase premiership glory

As the 2025 NRL season approaches, Manly Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans remains a key leader for the team. Turning 36 just before the season kicks off, he continues to perform at an elite level, leading the league in try assists last year with 22. Listen to more highlights from Wide World...

www.2gb.com

 

[Raven Mad Manly Fan]

I wouldn’t put it past Uncle Nick to dangle a fat pay check and a shot at premiership glory with numerous ‘life after footy’ caveats.

He wouldn't be the first Manly captain to take up the lure of the Roosters' ka-ching $$$$ - Bob Fulton and Paul Vautin both did it at the end of their playing days.

 

[Mal Cochrane]

I think vautin was more forced out and not due to any lucrative rooster offer

 

[frank stokes]

I have absolutely no problem with DCE letting other clubs know he is up for a conversation...

If Manly want(ed) to keep him then it should never have been allowed to get to this point... if Manly have indicated they do not want to extend but Chez wants to play on then why the hell would you wait until other teams have finalised their development programs before dipping your toe in?

I am confidant that Chez will give his absolute all to the jersey while he is here and good luck to him if Manly let him go and he is the beneficiary of a feeding frenzy due to the timing of it...

 

[Nike]

Let's say the Roosters sign Cherry-Evans for a season and he wins a comp then retires.

Does this elevate his individual achievements to an Immortal qualifier level? Does DCE leaving us at an age where frankly, the odds are against him winning a premiership with our current squad in his twilight years - partially a side effect of his large deal.

It would leave a big hole for Manly if he did sign elsewhere, but that's coming in a year or two either way. Hypothetically if he did sign with Sydney and retire with a ring and large bag would it be that bad?

Being a one club player is an admirable thing in the professional era. I just don't know if he left us for a potential comp and massive bag with the Roosters if it would really hurt us given the current outlook?

I'm open to being convinced otherwise. I think he'd remain a Manly 'man' like Vautin and Bozo. The only reason Cronk is ever referred to as a Rooster is due to his acrimonious exit more than anything IMO, can't see that happening with DCE.

 

[Disco]

Let's say the Roosters sign Cherry-Evans for a season and he wins a comp then retires.

Does this elevate his individual achievements to an Immortal qualifier level? Does DCE leaving us at an age where frankly, the odds are against him winning a premiership with our current squad in his twilight years - partially a side effect of his large deal.

It would leave a big hole for Manly if he did sign elsewhere, but that's coming in a year or two either way. Hypothetically if he did sign with Sydney and retire with a ring and large bag would it be that bad?

Being a one club player is an admirable thing in the professional era. I just don't know if he left us for a potential comp and massive bag with the Roosters if it would really hurt us given the current outlook?

I'm open to being convinced otherwise. I think he'd remain a Manly 'man' like Vautin and Bozo. The only reason Cronk is ever referred to as a Rooster is due to his acrimonious exit more than anything IMO, can't see that happening with DCE.

Love DCE but even with another prem....hell even with two he aint getting into immortal conversations..

Even with how they are ruining that concept.

My view is Walsh if he is as good as we hope wont be ready in 26 so we need another year of DCE

 

[Stuey Davis’s Socks]

Party on, dude: DCE is the last survivor of the 1980s​

By Christian Nicolussi​

February 25, 2025 — 3.45pm

The 1980s gave us so many wonderful things, including MTV, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Crocodile Dundee, Madonna – and Daly Cherry-Evans.
The Manly skipper said his Sea Eagles teammates and friends had gone out of their way to remind him he was the last of a kind in rugby league.
Jesse Bromwich was the only other player born in the 1980s, but the Dolphins’ front-rower retired at the end of 2024.
“I don’t know what to make of it all to be honest – I can tell you when you start out in your career, you never dream about becoming the oldest player in the NRL,” Cherry-Evans. who was born on February 20, 1989, told this masthead.
“I know the boys get a good laugh out of it, that’s for sure. So do some of my mates who have sent me messages.

1980s icons: Scott and Charlene, Crocodile Dundee, Daly Cherry-Evans, Madonna and Tab cola. CREDIT: MARIJA ERCEGOVAC

“We’ve got a player here, Joey Walsh, he’s a young half coming through – he’s a rugby protégé – but he’s only 18, which means I’m double his age.

“I only lived in the 1980s for one year. Obviously I don’t remember it. I did remember the 1990s. I loved Tina Turner’s Simply The Best.”

When this masthead asked him to complete a 1980s pop quiz, he knew Canberra won the 1989 grand final, but had no idea Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan played Scott and Charlene in Neighbours, and thought a Commodore 64 was a ute. It was a computer.

There has been plenty of focus on Cherry-Evans and whether he plays on in 2026. He is leaning towards going around again, but also grateful the club is not demanding an answer any time soon.
The playmaker has not let his birth certificate stop him from leading the way again during the pre-season.
“It’s just a number, and as long as you’re doing the work, physically and mentally ... the only reason it could start to limit you is if you start to believe it,” he said.
“I know I won’t run any faster, I know I won’t get heaps stronger in the gym, but as long as I don’t go backwards. It’s about maintaining at this age.
“I haven’t dropped off. History suggests physically you will slow down at some stage, but it hasn’t happened yet.”
The Sea Eagles have lightened Cherry-Evans’ workloads at the start of each pre-season. He has stopped lifting heavy weights during the past couple of years.

Cliff Lyons was nearly 38 when he eventually finished up with Manly in 1999, and Cherry-Evans was convinced the lifestyle on the northern beaches played a role in his own longevity.

“Maybe there’s something in the water over here,” he said.

​

“Down-time is really important. Having a young family on the northern beaches, days off are really days off. .. It’s a beautiful way to live your life, and I never take that for granted. I never take my football for granted.”

Christian Nicolussi covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.

 

[The Wheel]

Player Media: Daly Cherry-Evans

Manly Sea Eagles captain DCE discusses his excitement leading into our Round one clash against the Cowboys.

www.seaeagles.com.au