Cherry-Evans makes contract promise over NRL exit links
George Clarke |
Daly Cherry-Evans is keeping the details of his playing future under wraps as he warned a decision on his plans for 2027 is not too far away.
Aged 37, Cherry-Evans looks as good as ever after scoring two tries to help the Sydney Roosters leapfrog Penrith into first spot with a 12-6 win on Thursday.
It had been widely assumed that the veteran five-eighth would retire at the end of this season with the Roosters.
But earlier this week, Cherry-Evans was linked with a move to Super League’s Hull FC.
Hull will be coached next season by Steve McNamara, who is a long-time friend and former assistant to Roosters’ coach Trent Robinson.
“I’ve loved every minute of this season, the club has accepted me and made it home,” Cherry-Evans told reporters after Thursday’s match.
“It’s been fantastic on so many fronts but there is still a job to do, so that focus won’t waver to finish the year.
“The stuff in the future, I’ll sort it out and talk about it at another time – I won’t leave you hanging.
“Tonight was one hell of a game, so it’d be a shame to take away the focus from a game like that.
“But I do promise you, and I don’t often promise you guys much, I won’t leave you hanging for too much longer.”
Cherry-Evans moved to the Roosters for the 2026 season after spending the entirety of his career at Manly.
And his arrival has meant the Roosters have been forced to deploy promising playmaker Hugo Savala in the centres this season in order to accommodate the former Queensland captain.
Robinson described coaching Cherry-Evans as a “gift” after his side climbed to first and moved to within touching distance of the minor premiership.
“You talk about external motivation, but to watch someone care about the way that he plays the game and goes about it, he deserved tonight,” said Robinson, whose side face Wests Tigers, the Dolphins and Souths to round out the regular season.
“Maybe two or three years ago at a charity function, I almost bought his boot for a couple of thousand dollars but one of my mates got it before me.
“I feel like a guy plays with a spirit… I really enjoy watching him play and I’ve said that but I’ve enjoyed watching him come and want to improve his game.”
AAP