Daly Cherry-Evans signs ‘lifetime deal’ with Sea Eagles that could be worth at least $10 million
IT is the longest single contract in rugby league’s 107-year history and was the final move that allowed Manly to trump Gold Coast in the battle for Daly Cherry-Evans.
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IT is the longest single contract in rugby league’s 107-year history and it proved to be the final move that allowed Manly to trump the Gold Coast in the battle for Daly Cherry-Evans.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Cherry-Evans’ new contract at Manly will span an extraordinary eight years and conservatively net the representative halfback $10 million.
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The 26-year-old signed a “lifetime” deal worth in excess of $1 million a season, guaranteed, at Brookvale for as long as he plays. And Manly expect that to be until 2023.
After backing out on a four-year contract with the Titans, Cherry-Evans fronted a packed press conference to announce a long-term deal similar to that of Sydney Swans star Lance Franklin.
“As long as Daly is playing NRL football, he will be wearing the maroon and white of the Sea Eagles,” Manly chief executive Joe Kelly said.
“Daly will finish his career a one-club player.”
But Cherry-Evans is likely to be playing for a different coach with Penrith assistant Trent Barrett being lined up as a replacement for current boss Geoff Toovey.
The Queensland and Australian representative is prepared for some backlash over his decision, which comes after months of speculation that he wouldn’t honour his Gold Coast commitment.
“It probably doesn’t look very honourable, the actions I have taken over the last 48 hours, and I understand that,” the Manly No. 7 conceded, despite acting within the current NRL rules.
“But there is only one thing that could have changed the honour of my word — and that is how important my family is to me.
“When it’s all said and done, I have gone through a lot of pain through this.”
Asked did he feel his image was now tarnished, Cherry-Evans said: “No, I am extremely happy with my decision. People always talk about my image, I know the people that know me, respect me and feel as though I am an honourable person.
“What’s printed in the media can sometime portray something different but I know that the people that are important to me in my life, I am very well respected among them.”
Wednesday’s decision ends months of damaging speculation for rugby league and Cherry-Evans. It was the case study that forced NRL officials to scrap the controversial round 13 rule and look to implement a 10 business day cooling-off period.
“I have played well within the rules here,” Cherry-Evans said.
“I definitely left the door open for this speculation to continue because, to be honest, I was always curious to know what offer was going to be on the table from Manly.
“If we all remember, there wasn’t an offer on the table when I made my last decision. As a young man who wanted to be here all along, and had ambitions to be a one-club player, I was definitely curious to see what was on the table from Manly.”
Cherry-Evans also denied rushing into his initial Gold Coast decision.
“No, not at all, that was very calculated,” he said.
Pressed on what changed his mind, Cherry-Evans said: “That opportunity to stay here and be a one-club player. That is what was so enticing. In rugby league, job security isn’t something many people have. It is something I have been offered and something I am more than happy to take up. As long as I’m playing in the NRL I will be playing at Manly. Job security is very important to me and high on my priority list.”
Cherry-Evans wouldn’t reveal his plans for a property he recently purchased on the Gold Coast.
“That is my own personal business,” he said.
Cherry-Evans said the scrutiny on him through this process “wasn’t nice.”
Originally published as Daly Cherry-Evans signs ‘lifetime deal’ with Sea Eagles that could be worth at least $10 million
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