Manly and Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans will leave the Sea Eagles at the end of the 2025 season, revealing he had made the decision in December after consulting ‘family and friends.’
‘Cherry’ has been with the Sea Eagles for 14 years, and after he announced his decision on Channel 9’s new 100% Footy show, apparently Sea Eagles management called Fox Sports NRL 360 to offer him a $1.5 million contract to stay.
But the Queenslander was not moved, and speaking on 100% Footy rejected the offer on live television, saying: “Respectfully no.”
The halfback is out of contract with the Manly club, so is free to negotiate with other clubs – but said he had not yet had any offers and was concentrating on the season ahead.
“I thought the best thing I could do for the situation was let everyone know where it’s at and where it’s been at for a while, that was why I felt it was best after yesterday’s game to come out and openly say where it’s at. No more footy at Manly beyond this year,” he said on 100% Footy.
“It’s obviously not an easy decision, I’ve spent a long time there, (and made) a lot of lifelong friends but the main reason for doing it is I felt like that as my career comes to an end, I wanted to take my time, whether that’s retiring or playing on.
“And by cutting ties with Manly this year then I felt like that was the best chance for me to have freedom throughout the year to take my chance to choose, and from there (the club) is able to move on and find the next halfback for Manly.”
Since the start of the season on 8 March, Manly has won two matches and lost one, and sit third on the ladder. This weekend they will play the Eels at Brookvale Oval.