Daly Cherry-Evans explains reasons behind decision to leave Manly Sea Eagles in shock contract call
Updated . First published at
Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans has explained why he is set to leave the Sea Eagles at the end of the NRL season, declaring he won't be accepting an offer from the club that was revealed on live TV.
The star halfback is off contract at the club and has informed the Sea Eagles he won't be playing for them after this season.
9news Sydney's Danny Weidler broke the story, revealing he "has decided he will not be playing at Manly again next year".
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The news comes as a shock to Sea Eagles fans considering he's only played on the Northern Beaches. While Cherry-Evans is leaving Manly, the door is ajar for him to join other clubs.
Daly Cherry-Evans is set to leave Manly. Getty
Speaking on Nine's 100% Footy, Cherry-Evans explained the speculation that built up over the last week was the reason behind him making the call so early in the season.
"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.
"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.
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"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 they were able to move on and find the next halfback for Manly."
The captain continued by stating there was no lowball offer from Manly and "no animosity".
Cherry-Evans also added that Manly "weren't going to offer anything unless another club offered anything, those offers didn't come through from other clubs so Manly didn't need to offer anything, which was fine".
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Before 100% Footy aired, and after the news broke, reports on Fox Sports' NRL 360 revealed Manly management was going to offer Cherry-Evans a two-year deal. Manly chairman Scott Penn confirmed that to The Sydney Morning Herald.
Asked on the show if there'd been an offer to his management or if it just came via NRL 360, Cherry-Evans said "the last couple of hours had been bizarre".
"Prior to that, my management company and I have had really transparent conversations with people at Manly," he said.
"We've been directed to talk to certain people at Manly, and some people haven't been part of those conversations so they might be a bit unaware. There's been nothing but transparency, even as I left training today with my coach and teammates."
He said "respectfully no" when asked if he'd accept the two-year deal.
The halfback said he was not looking to engage in conversations with other clubs at the moment to focus fully on the season.
When asked by Cameron Smith if he wanted to play on, Cherry-Evans confirmed that was his intention but he didn't want to make the call now. The Maroons captain also said heart was still in Origin and it would be "really hard to say no this year".
Reports during the off-season suggested Manly was prepared for life without Cherry-Evans with the potential for Tom Trbojevic to switch to five-eighth, Luke Brooks at halfback and Lehi Hopoate playing fullback.
Cherry-Evans debuted for the Sea Eagles in 2011 and has played 332 games.
