Dolphins coach opens up on Cherry-Evans’ future
Joel Gould |
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has made it clear Manly legend Daly Cherry-Evans will not be at the club next year.
Cherry-Evans will play his 350th NRL match, all for the Sea Eagles, against the Dolphins at Brookvale Oval on Saturday.
The veteran playmaker said this week he had not made a decision as yet on his future despite being constantly linked to a move to the Sydney Roosters for 2026.
Cherry-Evans said during the opening State of Origin camp he had spoken to the Roosters and Dolphins.
“The Roosters and Dolphins are sides I have spoken to but nothing has happened,” he said at the time.
“I understand people will want to speculate but ultimately that’s on them.”
A deal with the Roosters has not been finalised and Woolf was asked on Friday if the Dolphins were still in the picture.
“There is no point talking in ifs and buts. I have said before I think his future is somewhere else,” Woolf said.
“We’d obviously said we would love a player of his calibre, and I love everything about who is as a bloke and what he has done as a player, but he won’t be coming to us.”
The Dolphins intend to keep current half and co-captain Isaiya Katoa for the rest of his career and have added Penrith half Brad Schneider to their roster for next year. Off-contract Sean O’Sullivan is not expected to be re-signed.
“Isaiya is our halfback,” Woolf said.
“Whenever we get linked to other players people start questioning where they are going to play and one thing that is not changing is that Isaiya is our halfback. He will be our halfback for the next 10, 12, 15 years. People can stop speculating on that.
“Kodi Nikorima and Jake (Averillo) will play No.6 for us next year and Brad comes in. I like what he is doing at Penrith. I like his versatility and what he is doing as a halfback. I like the fact he can play six and nine. They are our halves next year.”
Both Manly, on 24 points, and the ninth-placed Dolphins on 26 points can play finals football, but must win all their remaining games.
The celebrations for Cherry-Evans will add to the occasion on Saturday, and Woolf said the side must embrace it.
“We haven’t won at Brookvale and that is a great challenge. This year we have beaten teams we hadn’t beaten before and in places we haven’t won,” Woolf said.
“It is a wonderful celebration for Daly Cherry-Evans and a wonderful achievement.
“He has been such a great player and the way he represents himself and his family is great as well. That will be a big atmosphere and will be enjoyable because everyone wants to play in big games.”
AAP
