Manly Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans is still undecided about his NRL future, but if he chooses to play on, the club could land themselves a bargain deal.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the NRL has valued the 36-year-old at $400,000 for the 2026 season. With his current contract set to expire at the end of 2025, this valuation puts him in line with Ben Hunt’s $650,000 price tag at the Broncos, despite Hunt being two years younger.
These valuations serve as a benchmark for minimum salaries under the NRL’s salary cap rules, preventing clubs from signing players for below-market value. However, Sea Eagles management had reportedly entered the 2025 season under the assumption that this would be Cherry-Evans’ last year in the NRL.
The veteran halfback has potential pathways beyond playing, with Manly offering coaching opportunities, and media roles also on the horizon. Despite this, he has yet to confirm his plans for the future, and at 37 next season, his experience remains highly sought after.
Rival Clubs Circling Cherry-Evans
While Manly remains an option, rival clubs are keeping a close eye on the situation, with speculation that Cherry-Evans could command up to $800,000 on the open market.
Code Sports reports that the Dragons are one of the clubs interested, with coach Shane Flanagan previously trying to lure Cherry-Evans to Cronulla in 2015. Having lost Ben Hunt in the off-season, the Dragons signed Lachlan Ilias as their new No.7, but Flanagan has already expressed concerns about his form after just three rounds.
The Roosters have also been linked to Cherry-Evans, with The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield revealing on NRL360 that the veteran halfback is seeking a two-year contract extension.
“He wants a two-year deal and decent money. Despite his age, he’s only missed 20 games in 15 years, and a lot of those were due to Origin. He’s incredibly durable,” Rothfield said.
“He’s looking for a contract from 2026—one year with a one-year option.”
Rothfield Slams Suaalii Over Priorities
Meanwhile, veteran rugby league journalist Phil Rothfield has taken aim at rugby union star Joseph Suaalii, comparing his recent actions to those of Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards.
Both players are currently sidelined with injuries—Edwards with a groin strain and Suaalii with a toe issue. However, while Edwards travelled to Melbourne to support his Panthers teammates from the coach’s box, Suaalii opted for a different trip—attending the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne instead of watching his Waratahs side take on the Reds.
Speaking on Big Sports Breakfast, Rothfield questioned Suaalii’s commitment to rugby union.
“The headline on this story basically asks: ‘Is Joseph Suaalii a rockstar or a rugby player?’” Rothfield said.
“Dylan Edwards, out injured, flew to Melbourne on Thursday night, sat in the coaching box with Ivan Cleary, went to the sheds to support the team, and gave advice to rookie fullback Tom Jenkins. That’s a team-first mentality.”
“Joseph Suaalii, out for a month with a toe injury, had his team playing in the biggest game of the year, and instead of being there, he flew to Melbourne and sat in the Louis Vuitton suite at the F1 alongside celebrities.”
For Rothfield, the optics don’t look good.
“It fails the pub test. Yes, he got clearance from Rugby Australia, but he’s the face of their sport and has played just one Super Rugby game on a $6 million deal,” he said.
“I reckon he could have been sitting next to the coach, learning more about the game he’s being paid a fortune to play.”
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Mitchell
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