'It does nothing for the game': Wayne Bennett calls for change amid Daly Cherry-Evans contract saga
Wayne Bennett has called for change in the midst of Daly Cherry-Evans' contract saga, claiming the NRL has hit the "self-destruct button" early in the season.
In one of the biggest stories in recent years, Cherry-Evans revealed earlier this week that he would be leaving the Sea Eagles at the end of this season.
The 36-year-old will now weigh up his options, with a list of clubs expected to weigh up signing the Queensland captain as he nears the back-end of his illustrious career.
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One team that won't be trying to land Cherry-Evans' signature however will be South Sydney, with their head coach denying any move for the veteran playmaker despite admitting he could add "value" to a number of rivals.
Wayne Bennett has weighed in on the Daly Cherry-Evans saga. Getty/Nine
"No - we don't have the money under the salary cap," Bennett said.
"I think he has a lot of value. He's virtually injury-free, plays good football every week and he's not ready for retirement - that's one place he's not going.
"If you haven't got a halfback and you're struggling a bit, you'd do everything you can to get your hands on him. They don't come off too often like this.
"Adam Reynolds went to Brisbane and he's been good for them and I'm sure wherever Daly goes, he will be good as well."
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Cherry-Evans isn't the first player to announce his massive future plans early in the 2025 campaign, coming shortly after Dylan Brown's $13 million move to the Knights.
Dylan Brown in action for the Eels. Getty
According to one of the rugby league's most respected figures, such decisions and contracts being made so far in advance isn't going to help the sport, calling for a trade window to be introduced similar to the AFL or overseas sports.
"Absolutely - even look at Australia, you don't see the Aussie rules (transfer news in season) happen in their game," an honest Bennett said.
"We hit the self-destruct button four weeks into a football season.
"The silliness of us as a game, how we allow that to happen. It does nothing for the game. It's wrong and I wish we'd fix it. It shouldn't be allowed to happen."
