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Live TV saga as Cherry-Evans transfer becomes total farce
SEN • March 25th, 2025 9:46 am
Live TV drama has made a mockery of how NRL contract negotiations are handled with multiple channels broadcasting the latest in the saga surrounding Daly Cherry-Evans.
Late on Monday night, it was reported that the Manly captain would be looking to leave the club at the end of the 2025 season after 15 years, two grand finals, one premiership and nine finals series.
It is understood Cherry-Evans wanted two more years at the club with Manly only offering one.
As such, word went out that he was available.
As the NRL world digested the bombshell news, Fox Sports’ magazine show NRL 360 went to air and it was during the live broadcast that the unthinkable happened.
Not only did reporter Brent Read receive a text message saying that the Dolphins and Roosters were looking to sign the 36-year-old halfback, but officially from Manly sensationally called Fox Sports to make an on-air counter offer to Cherry-Evans.
“Breaking news (Sea Eagles CEO Tony) Mestrov and (Sea Eagles owner Scott) Penn have just contacted Fox League and said they are going to counter this with a new offer, so they don’t believe this is over,” Braith Anasta said on NRL 360.
“They are going to counter this with a two-year offer to DCE, so this is far from over by the sounds of it.”
Anasta was right, it was not over for the night with Phil Rothfield contacting Manly’s chairman during an ad break which revealed that the club had not been officially informed of Cherry-Evans’ intent to leave.
“I just spoke to the owner and chairman Scott Penn, who was surprised with the reports and said, they have not been officially told what has been reported elsewhere that Cherry-Evans is leaving,” Rothfield said.
“He said Manly were always under the impression that it was a one-year offer to him, but there was no hurry and we will chat when you are comfortable.
“He confirmed that they will now offer him two years and do everything possible to keep him at Manly.”
Incredible live television descended into a farce when Read contacted the club’s CEO.
“It is getting a bit ugly,” Read said.
“I spoke to Tony Mestrov and he said similar to what Scott Penn said. I think they have been caught off-guard by it.
“I don’t think they are convinced that Daly is going to go around again.”
Still not over, Fox's transmission coincided with Cherry Evans appearing on Channel 9's 100% Footy.
“Based on sort of all of the reports last week, I felt like it was starting to become sort of pretty regular news and not news that I really enjoy,” Cherry-Evans.
“So that was why I felt like it was best after yesterday’s game to come out and just openly say where it’s at and as I said, no more footy at Manly beyond this year.
“It’s obviously not an easy decision."
Cherry-Evans was then informed, live on air, that Manly had made an offer of two-years via Fox Sports.
Asked if it was something he would consider, he added: “Look respectfully...no."
“As I said I’ve been sleeping on this decision since December, so talking to my family we’re okay with the decision...we’re at peace with it and we understand that it’s not going to make everyone happy and there’s going to be a lot of Manly fans that are really upset with this.
“I understand that but as a family and a friendship group, we’ve been aware of it for a while now and now it’s public it’ll be big news and I get that but we’re content with the decision.”
It’s not the first transfer circus to involve Cherry-Evans who reneged on a multi-million dollar deal with the Gold Coast Titans back in 2015.
In words that will come back to haunt him, Cherry Evans said it would take something “pretty catastrophic” for him not to see out his career at Brookvale.
