‘What the hell’: Cherry-Evans detail staggers everyone

Manly officials are under fire after Daly Cherry-Evans rocked the club on Monday. One particular detail has got commentators saying the same thing.

NRL commentators have all been left saying the same thing after Daly Cherry-Evans rocked Manly on Monday night.

The club’s failure to put a concrete offer in front of the Queensland captain before his extraordinary TV appearance on Monday has been called “bizarre” from all corners of the game.

Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov on Tuesday fronted the press after the club’s 36-year-old halfback earlier said he will not be with the club in 2026.

After reports of Cherry-Evans’ decision first emerged on Monday night, news dramatically broke during Fox League’s NRL 360 that Manly was making him an offer.

Less than two hours later, Cherry-Evans rejected that deal, which was reported to be worth $1.5 million over two-years to keep him at the club through to the end of the 2027 season.

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Maestrov explained to the press that the club believed Cherry-Evans was not sure himself if he was committed to playing beyond his current contract.

However, it was previously reported Sea Eagles officials had been waiting to see if rival clubs would try to poach him before making up their mind.

The club’s stance has got everyone saying the same thing — “bizarre”.

NRL journalist Danny Weidler on Tuesday morning told Sky Sports Radio Cherry-Evans had been blindsided when news of Manly’s two-year offer broke moments before his live TV appearance.

Cherry-Evans was blunt when speaking on Monday night.

“Look respectfully … no (I won’t take it),” he said on Channel 9’s 100% Footy.

“As I said I’ve been sleeping on this decision since December, so talking to my family we’re okay with the decision … we’re at peace with it and we understand that it’s not going to make everyone happy and there’s going to be a lot of Manly fans that are really upset with this.

Daly Cherry-Evans could command upwards of $1m a season at another club from next season. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

“I understand that but as a family and a friendship group, we’ve been aware of it for a while now and now it’s public it’ll be big news and I get that but we’re content with the decision.”

Mestrov rejected suggestions of a rift between Cherry-Evans and the club.

Cherry-Evans also said on Monday there was no animosity between him and Manly officials.

However, it has been widely speculated Cherry-Evans couldn’t help but feel somewhat disrespected by the club’s contract dealings after a one-year extension was first discussed as early as October, both parties have confirmed.

Weidler on Tuesday was scathing of how the club has managed the process, considering it was able to whip out a two-year-offer at such short notice.

“They said they would make an offer to him if other clubs made a firm offer,” he said.

“Is that the way you treat a bloke who has been at your club for 15 years? Do you only make an offer if another club makes you an offer, or do you say, ‘We really value you, you’ve been great for this club. You’re a club legend. Forget this idea of not playing, we think you’ve got more in you. Here’s an incentive to play’.”

He went on to say: “We’re living in the bizarro world if that’s the case”.

Manly Sea Eagles Captain Daly Cherry-Evans. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard.

NSW State of Origin coach and Raiders legend Laurie Daley on Tuesday also speculated there were tensions behind the scenes.

“I don’t think this is a happy place,” Daley said on Sky Sports Radio.

“Even though he denies there’s animosity, it’s hard not to look at it and say there has to be some thought in Daly’s mind that this has to be a little bit disrespectful”.

Sky Sports Radio co-host and Bulldogs cult hero Josh Reynolds also said: “Is it just me or are Manly Crazy? What we saw on the weekend, he has still got it as a half.”

Daley said he believes Cherry-Evans would still be worth around $1 million per-season.

Meanwhile, leading NRL commentator Andrew Voss also said Manly’s approach had been “bizarre”.

“The other thing is, who on Earth do they think they’re going to get,” Voss said on SEN Breakfast in Sydney.

“You’ve got to have a succession plan. You must have some idea. If you’re not putting an offer in for him, what the hell are you doing? I don’t see anyone on the horizon.”

Tony Maestrov fronted the press. Photo: Fox Sports News.

Young halves Onitoni Large and Joey Walsh are seen as Cherry-Evans’ long-term successors, but they are reportedly a long away from being able to handle playing at NRL level.

Leading Code Sports journalist David Riccio also questioned why Manly hadn’t made a formal offer before waiting for other clubs to take action.

“It’s just completely bizarre,” Riccio told SEN Breakfast.

“How there can be a stalemate with your captain and one of your longest serving players?”

He went on to say: “Both parties again weren’t on the same page. DCE is saying because Manly were expecting offers from rival clubs and that that is when they would make a counter offer to them. You don’t need to do that. You make an offer and then see where you stand.”

It seems that interest from rival clubs has arrived with widespread speculation the Roosters and Dolphins are the logical destination for the playmaker.

But Mestrov said on Tuesday he still hopes the skipper will change his mind.

“I think he’s still not sure about what he’s doing. And he reiterated that yesterday, so I don’t think he’s sure,” Mestrov said in a press conference on Tuesday morning.

“So while he’s reconsidering his future, we made an offer, we’ve been discussing that offer, and I think as a Manly supporter, you want to see him at the club.”

Originally published as ‘What the hell’: Cherry-Evans detail staggers everyone