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Roosters lean on Cherry-Evans to end premiership wait
George Clarke, AAP • August 31st, 2026 5:50 pm
Time to shine: Daly Cherry-Evans has become even more important for the Sydney Roosters | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Daly Cherry-Evans' last games in the NRL could shape the veteran playmaker's legacy as he plots a path for the Sydney Roosters towards the 2026 premiership without Sam Walker.
The Roosters are refusing to rule Walker out of featuring again this season despite the maverick No.7 undergoing surgery over the weekend following his ankle injury in Saturday's 26-12 loss to the Dolphins.
Sam Walker has been in sparking form this season before injury intervened at the weekend | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
But the reality is that if the Roosters are to make it all the way to the grand final on October 4, Cherry-Evans is going to have to shoulder some extra responsibility.
"We really need Chez (Cherry-Evans) right now," prop Naufahu Whyte said on Monday.
Cherry-Evans, who announced earlier this month he would move to Super League side Hull FC in 2027, was brought to the Roosters to guide them to their first grand final since their 2019 premiership.
The 37-year-old boasts a 9-11 finals record, but hasn't taken a side to a grand final since his Manly lost the 2013 decider to the Roosters.
Hugo Savala has spent most of the season at centre but is expected to shift into the halves alongside Cherry-Evans as the Roosters face South Sydney in their final regular season game on Friday.
Hugo Savala is set to join Daly Cherry-Evans in the Roosters' halves | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
It was Savala's strong form last season that prompted many pundits to question the Roosters' decision to pursue Cherry-Evans.
"I think we've seen what he (Savala) did for us last year when he was playing in the halves," said Roosters utility Connor Watson.
"He's a big body, defends well, runs the ball well, and has a good kicking game. He's pretty much got it all so I'm looking forward to having him back there.
"You come into a side there and then you've got Daly Cherry-Evans as your halves partner, so I think he'll take a lot of responsibility there just for Hugo to do his thing, which is run and defend well.
"We're pretty blessed to have Daly in our team."
Regardless of the outcome of Friday's game, the Roosters will finish third or fourth and will be on the road against Penrith or the Warriors in week one of the finals.
Try-scoring machine Daniel Tupou is close to a return from injury | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
That could give coach Trent Robinson cause for resting some of his key players but Watson hinted winger Daniel Tupou and back-rower Angus Crichton were nearing returns to full fitness.
"I think it's important for us to go out there and play well on Friday night as a team," Watson said after the Roosters blew their hopes of the minor premiership with consecutive losses to Wests Tigers and the Dolphins.
"Toops is pretty close, I think. Not sure about Gus but he's out there training hard as he always does so it'd be great to have those two guys back.
"Sometimes having a break through injury is the best thing for you, it freshens you up, and it's great timing if we do get both of them back for the finals."
