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Johns: "Toxic" Manly is damaging "dud signing" DCE
SEN • August 19th, 2025 6:08 pm
Manly veteran Daly Cherry-Evans is not preparing to retire and will be a welcome addition to the Roosters roster, according to Matty Johns who believes escaping Brookvale's "toxic" culture will be beneficial to the veteran.
Amid reported internal wars, injury woes and a downward spiral of form, Manly have copped it in recent weeks with their weekend defeat to the Tigers their fourth in a row and finals hopes on life support.
Vision from the weekend loss showed a dejected Cherry-Evans struggling to find words to explain what had happened not only to the club's form but also his own which has bene the topic of much focus since his early season bombshell that he was set to quit the club.
A move to the Roosters has been the worst kept secret in NRL this year but with his form in such disarray, some now believe he may move straight to retirement.
"He’s got a lot to consider," Johns said on SEN's Joel and Fletch. "A lot of people putting it in the Roosters court.
"I think he will play on and I think we’re being premature saying it’ll be a dud signing.
"What’s going on at Manly at the moment, it’s seems fairly toxic and a place where I think anyone would struggle to play good football. There is so much going on there.
"Daly is at a certain age, but I think the change might be exactly what he needs."
With respect to the Roosters switch, while some have questioned how adding Cherry-Evans to the roster could benefit the club, Johns sees its advantages.
"Hugo and Sam are firing at the moment but there is no guarantee long term," he continued.
"Hugo has a lot to learn, and the most important thing is patience. It wouldn’t hurt him to play 14 if Daly is there. It won’t hurt his career.
"I don’t think the Chooks are headed for any kind of disaster if Daly is heading there.
"I’ve heard that Daly and Robbo catch up quite a bit, they’re likeminded fellas and one day might work alongside each other.
"I think right now Manly would be an awful place to be."
