What’s the Buzz: The Parramatta Eels are set to offer Daly Cherry-Evans $4 million
THE Parramatta Eels want to pinch Manly’s champion halfback Daly Cherry-Evans — and they are prepared to offer $4 million to get him.
Opinion
Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Parramatta Eels want to pinch Manly’s champion halfback Daly Cherry-Evans — and they are prepared to offer $4 million to get him.
Eels coach Brad Arthur believes he is the one player to complete the jigsaw and deliver Parramatta’s first premiership since 1986.
It would be their first champion halfback since Peter Sterling.
Cherry-Evans has put contract talks at Manly on hold until next season, when his current deal expires.
It was originally expected that he would head to the Brisbane Broncos, but his wife enjoys life in Sydney and wants their young family to stay in the Harbour City.
I’m told the Eels are prepared to go to $4 million — a cool $1 million-a-season — over four years to secure one of the game’s best playmakers. It would give the Eels potentially a premiership winning spine with Jarryd Hayne at fullback, Cherry-Evans at halfback and Nathan Peats at hooker.
Like a lot of Manly players, Cherry-Evans has enormous respect for Parramatta coach Arthur, who was assistant coach at the Sea Eagles last season.
The plan to secure the brilliant Queensland halfback would mean the end of Chris Sandow’s association with Parramatta.
Unless he is picked up by a rival Sydney club, England’s Super League would be his most likely option.
GYNGELL BACKS EDDIE OVER THE SWANS
IT is not often the host of a television show leading into Channel Nine’s 6pm news bulletin can get away with saying “get stuffed Sydney”.
But Channel Nine supremo David Gyngell says he has no problems with Collingwood president and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire host Eddie McGuire attacking the harbour city’s high-flying AFL team.
“Eddie told the Swans to get stuffed, not Sydney,” Gyngell said.
“Being a rugby league man, I couldn’t give a stuff about them either.”
SALLY’S ON THE BLOCKS FOR A SCOTTISH DOUBLE TAKE
SHE might be our queen of the track and an Olympic gold medallist, but Sally Pearson will be extra motivated to win gold at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
One of the most heartbreaking stories out of Delhi was Pearson winning the 100m, only to have it stripped after the England team appealed, claiming she should have been disqualified for a false start.
We hope she can claim the double this time and put the Poms in their place.
OH LORDY! IT’S GORDIE’S YOUNG BULLS
THE name Tallis lives on in rugby league.
The Gorden Tallis Cup is played in QLD every year and has grown from an eight-team competition to attract 52 state-wide under-10 sides this year.
Last week the tournament was played in Townsville and won by the Wests Panthers from Brisbane. Gordie’s two sons played in the team. That’s Jackson (second from the left in the front row) and Ethan (back row far right).
You can see the boys fortunately got mum’s looks but dad’s footy bloodlines.
AYRES’ STRONG VIEWS ON MISBEHAVING PLAYERS
NSW Sports minister Stuart Ayres is seen by many as a future premier. So when he talks about player behaviour in the NRL, we should stop and listen.
Ayres is a strong supporter of a no-dickhead policy at the 16 clubs.
“I think Cronulla had little choice with Todd Carney,” the minister said. “It was an incident that cannot be tolerated.
“The simple fact of the matter is that there is a higher standard expected of high-profile people in society whether they are politicians, business leaders or sports people.
“When you’ve got members, sponsors and a whole series of stakeholders to look after, your brand is incredibly important. Players are on notice. If they step out of line, they have to expect disciplinary action.”
MANLY NAIL THE LID ON CRITICISM
MANLY Sea Eagles very carefully managed media calls last week in an attempt to hose down speculation of player unrest over Glenn Stewart’s departure.
Only a handful of players prepared to tow the company line were put forward to speak to the television cameras and reporters at training on Wednesday.
No sign of the big guns Kieran Foran, Anthony Watmough, Steve Matai or Brett Stewart who are most upset over the treatment of Glenn Stewart.
FOOTBALL CRACKS THE GLASS CEILING
WHILE the NRL bangs on about putting women into management and board positions, Australian soccer is actually doing it.
David Gallop at FFA has two on his senior management team, lawyer Jo Setright (legal and business) and Emma Highwood (women and community).
Westfield supremo Frank Lowy also has two women on his board, Moya Dodd and Cheryl Bart.
I met all four in Brazil and can assure you there is nothing tokenistic about their positions or involvement. They are all good operators.
NO RICHIE JUST TCHOOOU BAD
RICHIE Benaud, where are you when we need you? A couple of nights ago, the cricket World Cup’s countdown clock ticked over to 222 days, 22 hours 22 minutes and 22 seconds to go.
Any self -respecting cricket fan would have loved to hear the great man say that.
The World Cup is in February and March next year and will be an exciting end to a busy summer of cricket. Here’s hoping that Richie is behind the microphone for at least some of it.
BIG CLIMB A STAIRY THOUGHT
IF you’ve ever had to stop for a breather while climbing to the nosebleed sections at the SCG or Allianz Stadium, it’s best you skip the rest of this item.
Next Sunday more than 1000 fitness fanatics will climb 6300 stairs at the two venues as part of Stadium Stomp, a charity fundraiser for the McGrath Foundation. Pass.
MUZZA TRIBUTE
THE late and great Graham Murray will be honoured at a Men of League tribute luncheon on Friday at Cabramatta Leagues. To purchase tickets for what promises to be a fun afternoon, contact Garry O’Donnell on 0418 699257.
SAINT
ALEX McKinnon. No words can adequately describe his courage, determination, mental strength and the wonderful example he is setting others facing incredibly tough life challenges.
SINNER
DESPITE coaching 604 club games, Brian Smith has won nothing but a wooden spoon.
Yet Wests Tigers hired him to conduct a review of the coaching staff that will lead to the dismissal of Mick Potter. Whoever made the call to involve Smith should be the first one out the door.
SHOOSH
THERE is talk that Wayne Bennett had lost sections of the Knights dressing room before the recent announcement he was leaving.
Sure, it’s hard to believe but it comes from a source incredibly close to a number of players.
SHOOSH 2
WHICH CEO has not been sighted in his own team’s dressing room for two weeks because he is so far offside with the players.
SPOTTED
THE Big Marn Darryl Brohman being chauffeured home from his morning coffee in Cronulla in the back of a $250,000 Bentley. Turns out it was the mayor of Gunnamatta, Marty Downs, driving the vehicle. The mayor recently purchased the Bentley from famous disc jockey Kyle Sandilands.
MISSING
I MENTIONED last weekend that the Wests Tigers players gathered at the Oatley Hotel for a beer and a bet to farewell retiring forward Liam Fulton.
Both assistant coaches David Kidwell and Todd Payten turned up but there was no sign of Mick Potter, which probably explains why his position at the club is so shaky.
SNUBBED
KANGAROOS coach Tim Sheens was not the only one who didn’t get an invite to the Wests Tigers’ 15-year anniversary dinner. Senior players were also upset that 2005 grand final-winning forward Bryce Gibbs got brushed. Gibbs scored a try in the grand final and is one of the most popular players to ever wear the joint-venture jersey.
INSPIRED
THE Swans are inspiring many NSW youngsters to take up AFL. Even girls who normally play netball or soccer on weekends have chosen AFL as their school sport. This group from Our Lady of Mercy College, Burraneer, is playing in the Swans Cup State Final on Thursday at Macquarie University Sports Fields.
Originally published as What’s the Buzz: The Parramatta Eels are set to offer Daly Cherry-Evans $4 million
Why the Tigers are right to laugh off Luai contract critics
The Wests Tigers have handed Jarome Luai a massive contract with almost no strings attached, but how else could the perennial cellar dwellers attract the most sought after star in the game, asks BRENT READ.
Weekend Read: Signs the tide is finally turning for Wests Tigers
The 2025 NRL season will start with plenty of hope at the Wests Tigers thanks to the arrival of some key signings, a soft draw and some new standards, writes BRENT READ.