The Manly Sea Eagles playmaker is under some fire after their loss to the Raiders, with the veteran being exposed defensively as the young star Ethan Strange scored a hat-trick in a 28-12 loss in Canberra.
Meanwhile, at Suncorp, the Roosters dominated against the Dolphins winning 64-12 as halfback Sam Walker impressed with his playmaking ability, executing three try assists and kicking 10/11 goals in the 52 point win.
It has been the worst kept secret in the league that Daly Cherry-Evans will be heading to the Roosters, dating as early as March to initial reports about his NRL future, with latest reports it will be a one-year deal and then join the Roosters coaching staff in 2027.
According to Buzz Rothfield on NRL 360, there's a significant detail being left out of the departure from Manly.
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With the criticism of DCE, as Manly fans question whether he should be dropped from the side, Braith Anasta has even begun questioning whether the DCE signing is a good decision for the tri-colour club.
“Walker and Savala, they were great on the weekend,” Anasta said on NRL 360.
“DCE was poor.
“The DCE issue, I know we’ve spoken about it a lot, but it’s getting bigger because his form is dropping by the game, and Savala was outstanding on the weekend.
“The Roosters have found form.
“It is a little bit concerning now. They’ve got him coming in for Savala, and Sandon (Smith) moving on, most likely.
“Every week that goes on, I start going, well, hang on.“
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It was revealed that Cherry-Evans contract has not been registered by the NRL, and that there is a potential way for the Roosters to get out of the 12-month playing contract.
Buzz Rothfield also floated an idea that DCE could be offered a job on Trent Robinson’s coaching staff for the next three years as a way to meet the club’s financial agreement, but not have the wage included on their NRL salary cap.
"His contract has not been registered," Rothfield said.
"They've got to pay Daly Cherry-Evans whatever they promised him.
"If they paid him on the side to join Coach Robbo's [Trent Robinson] coaching staff, it doesn't affect the Roosters salary cap because the contract hasn't been registered."