Phil Gould calls on Manly powerbrokers to 'get this out of the news' after Daly Cherry-Evans 'circus'

Phil Gould believes Manly's needs to stop the leaks around Daly Cherry-Evans' contract, describing the situation as a "circus".

The Manly captain's decision to confirm he was leaving the Sea Eagles on 100% Footy started a chain of reaction and headlines across the media, with Manly bosses and experts around the game weighing in.

Reports in the lead up to his announcement had suggested Cherry-Evans was seeking a two-year deal, however, the captain stated he'd informed Manly of his decision to leave in December after he received no offers.

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Cherry-Evans then described the reports around him as a "smear campaign" and said the week had been "nasty" and "ugly".

Phil Gould believes, despite that December decision, that Manly were caught off guard.

"I think it caught sections of the media unaware and I think it caught the club unaware and the initial reaction was damage control and now that's gone into crisis management," he said on Nine's 100% Footy.

"I think Manly need to get this out of the news as quickly as possible."

Leading into Manly's fixture against the Eels, speculation was rife as to whether the fans would boo him at Brookvale Oval.

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Instead, Cherry-Evans received a loud applause and ovation as the Sea Eagles claimed victory.

Gould said it's now up to the club powerbrokers to take control of how the club fares.

"So far as the effect it'll have on the club, over the years we've seen things like this that can destabilise a club and it can also, in the best case scenario, galvanise a playing group and galvanise the fans," he said.

"At first look that's what looks like what happened on Sunday at Brookvale, the fans arrived behind him, the players played really well, Cherry-Evans professionally put it behind him.

"I think football wise they can get it done but so far as damage control and crisis management at the moment, I think the Manly club needs to get this out of the media.

"They need to stop playing the media game and let the media go through their damage control as well or whatever they're trying to create because at the moment it's now become a circus when Daly just wanted to put everyone out of their misery (and say) this is what I'm doing and get on with his life.

"I think he's underestimated the effect that would have on people. They just need to swallow hard and say 'OK, we've lost this one, we need to move on and get on with our lives and so does Daly Cherry-Evans.' The sooner they all do that, the better it's going to be."

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