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'Not messy': Why critics of DCE's Roosters deal are wrong
SEN • July 24th, 2025 12:27 pm
The furore around Daly Cherry-Evans joining the Roosters on a player-coaching contract is ridiculous, according to Greg Alexander who says criticism of the veteran is unfair.
Cherry-Evans is reportedly moving to the Tricolours to play out twelve months as a player before shifting into a coaching role in 2027.
The news has been met by surprise and disappointment by some experts and fans who believe it’s a slap in the face to Manly where the 36-year-old has played since 2011.
“Take a deep breath,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast regarding to those that were left unimpressed by the reported contract details.
“If Daly Cherry-Evans has made this decision with the Roosters, then so be it.
“We’ve had plenty of good players change clubs towards the end of their career. The fact he’s been so successful at Manly, people find it hard to deal with it.
“But it’s a business – the players understand that. For commentators to say it’s upset Manly this year, you can’t pick and choose when it does.
“Did it upset them against the Storm? No, they beat them in Melbourne. You can’t pick and choose when the fact DCE hasn’t said he’s going to the Roosters is a problem.
“I think he’s done well to keep it quiet. Does it fix the problem if he says it?”
Speculation over the 36-year-old’s future has been relentless since he declared on live television in March that he would not be continuing his career at Brookvale.
His announcement was met with a stern denial by the club who dialled into a rival TV show to counter their stare’s claims.
It initiated one of the most bizarre "he said they said" moments of the season with little added to the saga but speculation and whispers.
Alexander praised Cherry-Evans for taking care of his own future, reminding listeners that Manly is yet to make public exactly what they had tabled to their veteran or even if they had tried hard to keep him.
“It’s not messy from Daly Cherry Evans’ point of view,” he said. “He’s looking after himself, isn’t he? Does he have to take into account what the fans on the hill are thinking? Not really.
“Do we know everything about how the Manly deal played out and fell apart. We don’t know what was an wasn’t offered.
“If DCE wasn’t having a dig, you could be upset with what’s happened. You could say this is the reason – he’s not playing well – but he is. He has had a great game against Melbourne.”
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