How Manly chairman Scott Penn and CEO Tony Mestrov reacted to Daly Cherry-Evans’ ‘smear campaign’ comments

A dressing room handshake fuelled further confusion in the already explosive Daly Cherry-Evans saga. See how Manly chair Scott Penn and CEO Tony Mestrov responded to DCE’s surprise post-game claims.

This was the dressing room handshake among Manly power brokers that led to further confusion in the already explosive Daly Cherry-Evans saga.

After Manly’s win over Parramatta at Brookvale Oval on Sunday, Manly chairman Scott Penn and club CEO Tony Mestrov wanted to exchange a seemingly warm handshake with exiting skipper Daly Cherry-Evans in the Sea Eagles’ sheds.

Onlookers claim Mestrov said: “Well done.”

Cherry-Evans thanked the CEO for his comment.

Yet moments earlier, in the adjacent media room, Cherry-Evans had lobbed a hand grenade during the post-match media conference, claiming he was the victim of an “ugly, hurtful and nasty smear campaign” which Manly fans “saw right through.”

Was it directed at a Manly official? Mestrov? Penn? Coach Anthony Seibold? At a perceived manager’s war? The media? A mystery figure outside the club?

Daly Cherry-Evans was all smiles post-game, but he had words to say at the press conference. Picture: Tom Parrish

Despite being prompted multiple times, Cherry-Evans steadfastly refused to reveal who he felt was behind the alleged smear campaign.

Multiple questions, no answers.

This masthead contacted Mestrov and Penn on Monday to ask whether they knew who Cherry-Evans was referring to in the press conference.

Mestrov only said: “We are all moving on. ‘Chez’ (Cherry-Evans) is gone and we’re at peace with that. I don’t want to make any further comment.”

And Penn didn’t have an answer either.

“I’m not going to comment. Enough has been said already. There’s nothing to talk about,” Penn said.

Manly want the issue to settle given their team is running second on the NRL ladder with three wins from four games and play heavyweights Melbourne this Sunday at 4 Pines Park. But Cherry-Evans’ media conference flare-up ensured the drama would continue into a new week.

The Sea Eagles were privately surprised at Cherry-Evans’ inflammatory outburst but don’t want to be drawn into a slanging match with a club legend.

Long-time former Manly player and official, Peter Peters, added: “I haven’t got a clue who ‘Cherry’ was talking about. I wasn’t surprised because he is a master at fronting the media but does his best talking on the football field.”

And former Manly hard man Mark Carroll said: “It was just DCE being DCE. When he speaks, he needs a Thesaurus or dictionary. I was more filthy that he appeared on Channel 9 last week without a club shirt. That only hurts the sponsors, who help pay his wage. Why did he go out by himself?”

Daly Cherry-Evans. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Ex-Manly players feel Cherry-Evans’ comments were “carefully managed.”

Cherry-Evans sat beside Seibold during the controversial media conference with Manly’s coach throwing his considerable support behind the club’s captain and halfback.

Seibold appeared uncomfortable when Cherry-Evans began his criticism but the Sea Eagles coach elected against intervening.

In a bid to protect his player, Manly media manager, Chris Warren, attempted to change topics during the press conference with a question about the Brookvale crowd but mainstream media representatives immediately started to re-grill Cherry-Evans again.

“While ‘Chez’ is at the club I’ve got his back and he knows that,” Seibold said. “I’ve had conversations with ‘Chez’ with regards to that.

“I know it makes him uncomfortable, in regards to a lot of the (media) questioning. I’m not worried about 2026 – I’m worried about now and next week.

“In my time knowing ‘Chez’, he’s an ultimate professional and there was certainly a lot of noise outside the club but it’s business as usual for me. My job is to prepare the team and that’s what I have done.”

Originally published as How Manly chairman Scott Penn and CEO Tony Mestrov reacted to Daly Cherry-Evans’ ‘smear campaign’ comments