Daly Cherry-Evans will leave Manly at the conclusion of the 2015 NRL season after the Sea Eagles dramatically withdrew a contract offer for the Queensland and Australia playmaker on Wednesday evening.
The future of Cherry-Evans has been one of the biggest talking points in the off-season and Manly CEO Joe Kelly made the decision after becoming frustrated at the 26-year-old’s failure to let the club know his intentions by the agreed deadline of 12pm on Monday.
Cherry-Evans has publicly courted other clubs with a TV crew filming his arrival at Sharkies Leagues club for talks with Cronulla and he and his wife were then photographed looking at property around the Gold Coast last month.
It’s believed these actions upset the Sea Eagles’ playing group and Kelly said the offer, believed to be $900,000 a season, was withdrawn as the contract talks were overshadowing preparations for Friday’s round one opener against Parramatta.
“We’ve been talking about this for three-and-half months now and we set him a deadline of midday on Monday and that has come and gone,” Kelly told AAP.
“At the end of the day we’ve offered Daly what we consider a very good deal. But the reality is that we have a big game on Friday and we want to focus fully on that and this is affecting our preparations.”
Five-eighth Kieran Foran is also yet to rubber-stamp an offer from the club but Kelly refused to say if that deal for the Kiwi international, who is wanted by Parramatta, is still on the table.
“We just want to focus on the game and that is all we want to say about the matter for now,” he said.
“The season is about to start and that is the most important thing at this club.”
Manly coach Geoff Toovey admitted he was surprised at the news as he was confident Cherry-Evans would remain at Brookvale.
He was still hopeful Foran will stay.
“We think it’s in their best interests to remain at the Manly club,” Toovey told Fox Sports 365 show.
“We think we made an offer that was very good.
“I don’t think (news of Cherry-Evans) is a worry. He has taken his time to make a decision but I think the right decision would have been to stay at the club.”
The eye
Guest
as I said put on hold for 5 years
Muzz
Guest
I've been saying it forever.Manly need to help DCE pack his bags asap.Lock in Foran and use the rest of the coin to sign either, 1 or 2 quality forwards and maybe land Hodko or Sezer in the deal. I think some fans are seriously underestimating the loss of Choc and Gifty regardless of how much time they spend out injured.What they added to the playing group in both experience and culture/unity is priceless.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Hardly ruined Peter Wallace. Also only the Broncos under Wayne Bennett counts. You should assume that I don't include any other times as part of Broncos history. Joel Clinton is one for sure and PJ Marsh. Scott Prince was an unwanted 33 year old thrown a lifeline. Ben hunt was almost the form half last year so....
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Yeah, the Titans look like real challengers. Dynasty right around the corner.
Muzz
Guest
The first thing that crossed my mind when Matai decided to stay was DCE must be moving on.
Midfielder
Guest
There is only so much time in a day and so much goodwill ... seems to me DCE was effecting other decisions and I guess he was indicating he would leave.... Manly simply decided to go after forlan, which they may still loose meaning they have to rebuild ... so be it ... still the most successful club of the past 50 years ... Fulton, Eddie, Randel, Morgan, Day, Cliffy, O'Riely ... I could go on... DCE has been a very decent player for us but by no means the best we have had ... I wish him well for his future...
The eye
Guest
At the moment the only difference between what's happening between Foran and DCE is ones been photographed in the Cronulla car park and the other hasn't..the Tele jump all over Cherry and the masses follow..what was Matai promised in order for him to do a 360..and why is Brett still there,yet Choc takes the moral stand..it's all nefarious
Renegade
Guest
Exactly right guys. "Broncos - the club that kills careers" ;)
The eye
Guest
Also ruined Peter Wallace and set B.Hunt back 5 years
Renegade
Guest
I don't get it...
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Comment of the day!
pat malone
Guest
Joel Clinton, Martin Kennedy, Ben Barba, Todd Lowrie, David Stagg, Pj Marsh. Motu Tony, Richard Swain and Scott Prince
Tom G
Guest
If the Sharks are his answer it must be one hell of a stupid question
up in the north
Roar Rookie
This whole shemozzle has been too messy for too long and I don't blame the club for digging their heels in. As an outsider it doesn't paint Cherry in a flattering light, he is coming across as a walking ego. Maybe he should get a new manager because if he is so proud of his "brand" he must realise by now that it just took a massive hit and his market value has just gone down. I still think the Titans is where he should go, regardless of how long till Bird gets the bird.
Haz
Guest
No. They offered him a good deal. But Canterbury had more coin. And the secret knowledge that Hasler would be coming over as well.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
Strong move from manly. This has definitely tarnished DCE's reputation. It kinda gives manly a bit more of backbone (front office) and could be the stabilizing factor they need to get Foran.
The eye
Guest
Everyone was jumping on Trent Merrin for doing something similar..yesterday he revealed things would have been different had the Dragons not reneged on a handshake deal..when the dust settles and Cherry signs elsewhere hopefully he'll share his side on what made him take the 'villainous' route..there's a lot of hasty pre judging going on here ..
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Ummm DOW they upgraded both players contracts. DCE went from $80k per year for 3 years to $500k+. Both players have been very well looked after by the club. Karma? Geez I get tired of hearing about that each year. It certainly is a slow moving beast, that old karma.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
The ironic thing is that Manly when DCE and Foran were being paid peanuts had an opportunity to upgrade there contracts, they decided against it, and now it looks likely that it will cost them both players. So it's not ironic, it's karma!
wombat
Guest
Tell DCE and his manager to bugger off to another club now ,that'll end the negotiation uncertainty. It's hijacking the comp