‘Massive falling out’: Wild Daly Cherry-Evans conspiracy theory emerges

An explosive conspiracy theory has emerged about a “war” behind the scenes surrounding Daly Cherry-Evans’ departure from Manly.

The conspiracy theories about Daly Cherry-Evans’s departure from Manly are coming in thick and fast, and none is greater than the belief it is all a powerplay between “agents at war”.

Cherry-Evans stunned the footy world when he announced on TV on Monday night he wouldn’t be playing at Manly beyond this season, claiming he was still weighing up retiring or playing on at another club.

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The 36-year-old, who is still at the top of his game, declined Manly’s counteroffer of a two-year deal on live TV, saying he had already made his mind up after Manly told him in the offseason they wouldn't offer him a new deal unless a rival club offered him a contract.

Cherry-Evans insisted there was “no animosity” between him and Manly, but a club legend cutting ties with the Sea Eagles has left the rugby league world in shock about how this happened and many wondering who is pulling the strings behind the scenes.

All manner of theories have emerged, including that Cherry-Evans already has a lucrative two-year deal lined up with the Roosters in a bid to win a premiership at the Tricolours much like Cooper Cronk did at the end of his career.

The Roosters seem the likely destination given they are a competitive Sydney club and Cherry-Evans’ agent Joe Wehbe is also in charge of Roosters fullback James Tedesco and recruit Reece Robson, who is joining the club in 2026.

If Cherry-Evans does join the Roosters, he could form a lethal spine with Tedesco, Robson and young playmaker Sam Walker, who would also benefit from an apprenticeship under ‘DCE’ while he is still in the early stages of his career.

Eagle-eyed rugby league pundits have also pointed out Cherry-Evans’ agent Wehbe’s falling out with his former business partner Isaac Moses, who manages Manly coach Anthony Seibold and several Sea Eagles players including Luke Brooks and Tommy Talau.

Daly Cherry-Evans is leaving Manly at the end of the season. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

“It’s a fascinating subplot, these two (agents Wehbe and Moses) used to be thick as thieves, essentially business partners. Isaac (Moses) is well known in the game, Joe Wehbe often referred to as the halves whisperer,” James Hooper said on NRL360 on Wednesday night.

“They had a spectacular bust-up and finished in the supreme court, but that was settled out of court because there was a risk a lot of big-name players, their contracts could have been brought up in this court case.

“They split, Joe now looks after Daly … whereas Isaac has Anthony Seibold and a hell of a lot of other players on the Manly roster.”

NRL360 host Braith Anasta said he had been contacted by a number of player managers to highlight the influence the feud between Moses and Wehbe might have on the Cherry-Evans saga.

“This is not just two agents who don’t get along, this is the supreme court,” Anasta said.

“This is an agent who has the head coach at Manly, and the other key players at the Roosters.”

“This could allegedly be a war of agents,” Anasta told the BTFU podcast.

“Wehbe used to work for Isaac Moses. Moses manages a lot of coaches and a lot of players in our game He manages players and he manages Anthony Seibold.

“Wehbe and Moses had a massive falling out, they split and it was not good.

Braith Anasta reckons this could be a "war of agents" between Isaac Moses and Joe Wehbe. Photo: Instagram.

There is now a bidding war for DCE. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

“They had Mitchell Moses, Tedesco and Woodsy (Aaron Woods) at the Tigers. It all went down over that period.

“There is huge animosity between those two. The suggestion is this is actually a war of agents.

“DCE is too measured, too disciplined, too experienced to let an agent dictate what decision he makes.

“But subconsciously, if you’ve got an agent saying, ‘Mate, I reckon you’re better off leaving, I can get you a deal here, they’ve treated you poorly at Manly.

“If he has some sort of reason himself for his client and believes he shouldn’t be there for whatever reason, there is an influence regardless of what you think and how you feel.”

Manly coach Anthony Seibold (left) is managed by Isaac Moses.

In 2023, the Sea Eagles released a breakdown of how many players at the club where managed by respective agents following accusations too many of Moses’ players had been recruited to the club.

The DCE saga has brought back memories of when Seibold was sacked by the Broncos in 2020 and Brisbane’s roster was overturned following a signing spree of players managed by Moses.

Gould, Politis set for showdown

The Roosters, Bulldogs, Dragons, Gold Coast Titans and the Dolphins are believed to be the main contenders for Cherry-Evans’ signature.

On Wednesday Titans coach Des Hasler said he was happy with the direction of his club and appeared to rule out making a play for Cherry-Evans, with whom he won the 2011 premiership at Manly.

The halfback’s father Troy Evans played for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the 1980s, and while it seems most likely he would stay in Sydney, there is a sense of romance about finishing his career at the Dolphins.

“If you speak to people north of the border, they believe absolutely DCE will be at the Dolphins,” Hooper said.

With the Sydney clubs the box seat to land Cherry-Evans, Roosters chairman Nick Politis and Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould are set to go head to head in a battle to recruit the veteran halfback.

Phil Gould and Nick Politics are set to battle it out for DCE's signature.

“These two could end up going toe-to-toe … the best negotiators our game has ever seen,” Anasta said.

“They very rarely miss … they are the two favourites right now and they have two of the most powerful figures in our game. Get the popcorn out.”

The Roosters have significant room in their salary cap after the departures of Joseph Suaalii, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joey Manu, Luke Keary and Terrell May.

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, have already signed Newcastle Knights forward Leo Thompson for 2026 and beyond, whilst having already made several big splashes on the transfer market.

It comes amid reports Manly has identified identified Canberra playmaker Jamal Fogarty as a replacement from Cherry-Evans next season, although Fogarty would need to get an early release from his contract given the Raiders have a team option on Fogarty for next season and have indicated they are keen to activate it.

Originally published as ‘Massive falling out’: Wild Daly Cherry-Evans conspiracy theory emerges