Manly Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans has been challenged to step up over the final eight weeks of the NRL season and lead his team through a nightmare draw that could define both his legacy at the club and the Sea Eagles' finals hopes.
Currently sitting in seventh place on the NRL ladder, Manly benefited from a bye last round, but their upcoming schedule is among the toughest in the league.
Manly have clashes against the Melbourne Storm, Canterbury Bulldogs, Sydney Roosters, and Canberra Raiders looming large.
The four-week stretch is being described as season-defining, as finals qualification remains on a knife’s edge.
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On NRL 360, The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio said the Sea Eagles' campaign, and Cherry-Evans’ legacy are now firmly in the spotlight, especially with the veteran halfback widely expected to join the Roosters in 2025.
“For me this comes down to the legacy of Daly Cherry-Evans and how does he want to leave this footy club? How does he want to leave this team at the end of this season?” Riccio said.
“From the way it started and the way it rocketed out of control, early doors when the headlines hit.”
While Riccio expressed confidence that DCE still cares deeply about how he's remembered, fellow NRL 360 panellist Gorden Tallis cast doubt on the Sea Eagles skipper’s mindset.
“Do you think he cares?” Tallis asked.
“I would like to think he cares and I think deep down he would care,” Riccio replied. “He would care about wanting to finish on a high and how do you want to be remembered?”
Adding to the drama, James Hooper revealed there may still be lingering resentment behind the scenes between Cherry-Evans and figures at the club.
“He’s clearly got beef with figures at the club,” Hooper said. “That’s part of the reason why he’s left.”
Tallis noted that with Manly on 22 competition points, they may need to reach 28 or 30 to secure a finals berth, which could mean winning their final four games of the season if results don't go their way during the next month.
Riccio believes Cherry-Evans could be the key to unlocking a run of wins — if he can recapture his best form.
“But Gordy flip the script if this bloke plays lights out footy for the next four weeks, everything changes. He needs to lead them," Riccio said.
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However, Hooper insisted that Manly will need more than just DCE in top form to beat the sides ahead.
“Hang on, with respect they play Melbourne, the Bulldogs, the Roosters and the Raiders,” Hooper said. “They’re going to need a lot more than just DCE playing 11 out of 10 to have a chance of beating those sides.”
It’s not just Cherry-Evans whose future is in the spotlight. Tom and Jake Trbojevic, both unsigned beyond 2026, are under renewed scrutiny, particularly after Tom's recent move to the centres, which could impact future contract negotiations.
“What about Tom and Jake? They’re not locked in, so it’s a big end of the year for those two as well,” Braith Anasta said.
“Yeah, absolutely and only a month ago, there was discussions about him potentially re-signing,” Riccio added.
“Well, that’s just been pressed pause on with this situation of Tom playing in the centres.
Suddenly, while ever he’s playing centre, that’s not fullback money as far as a contract extension is concerned, so everything’s on tenterhooks, as far as the Manly Sea Eagles are concerned right now.”