Roosters’ secret ploy to poach Manly club legend Daly Cherry-Evans

The Roosters have a war cheat at their disposal and have reportedly put Manly veteran Daly Cherry-Evans at the top of their wish list.

Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans has gone from being undecided about his future beyond this season to reportedly wanting a two-year extension.

But to stay at Manly he will need to take a huge pay cut and rival clubs smell blood in the water.

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Cherry-Evans is 36 but he is still considered one of the elite playmakers in the competition and has been a staple of the Sea Eagles and Queensland Maroons sides for several years.

And while he is undoubtedly the best half at Manly, the Sea Eagles were comfortable letting Jamie Humphreys go – who has starred for Souths in the opening two rounds – because of their high wraps on youngsters Onitoni Large and Joey Walsh, who are seen as the club’s future.

This reality as well as the fact Cherry-Evans would likely take a $500,000 haircut on his $1.1 million a year salary to remain a one-club player, has given rival teams hope of luring him.

According to a Wide World of Sports report, the Roosters believe they are growing in confidence that they bring him to Bondi to mentor Sam Walker and Sandon Smith.

The Roosters are reportedly interested in Daly Cherry-Evans. Image: Getty

It is a similar move to what they did by bringing Storm halfback Cooper Cronk in at the end of his career.

That call resulted in two premierships and is largely why they signed veteran playmaker Chad Townsend ahead of this year.

But with Townsend expected to retire at the end of the season, the Tri Colours are reportedly eyeing up a secret swoop for Cherry-Evans.

“It’s very hush-hush at the moment and certainly no approach has been made,” one senior Roosters source told Wide World of Sports.

“It may not even happen – but it is being discussed.”

It is also understood that the Roosters are not alone in their interest for Cherry-Evans, with the Dolphins and Dragons also weighing up a move for the halfback.

Daly Cherry-Evans has played at Manly his entire NRL career. Image: NRL PHOTOS

However, as far as Manly coach Anthony Seibold is concerned he wants his captain to remain at the club until the end of his career.

 “Certainly (we want to keep him) if he wants to play on,’’ Seibold said on SEN on Wednesday morning.

“But talking to Chez (Cherry-Evans), he hasn’t made a decision on what he wants to do. Until he makes a decision, I think everyone needs to take a breath.

“He’s 36 years of age, he’s been playing since 2011 in the top grade. I’ve had private discussions and that’s not something I want to talk about publicly.

“Chez needs to work out if he wants to play on and if he does I’d love to have him. He’s an integral part of our group and he’s only got better.

“His performances over the last couple of years have been outstanding.’’

Originally published as Roosters’ secret ploy to poach Manly club legend Daly Cherry-Evans