Daly Cherry-Evans reveals he was approached by rival clubs, opens up on State of Origin future

Queensland Maroons and Manly Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans has made a call on his State of Origin future, and revealed he has spoken with rival clubs about playing on in 2026.

Daly Cherry-Evans has declared he is playing on for Queensland and revealed he was courted by two rivals as the Manly and Maroons skipper looks to extend his NRL career beyond this season.

In a huge coup for Queensland, Cherry-Evans, 36 on Thursday week, confirmed he will make himself available for Maroons selection this season in a move that will see him dethrone Petero Civoniceva as the oldest player in Origin history.

‘DCE’ appeared in such supreme shape at the NRL’s official 2025 season launch on Monday that the evergreen halfback outlined plans to ink a new 12-month deal for Manly in 2026.

Cherry-Evans reported for the gala event in Sydney weighing a lean 82kg, two kilograms below his playing weight last year, proof the NRL’s oldest player is in the best shape of his career.

Cherry-Evans last year revealed he was considering walking away from the Maroons in 2025 if it meant prolonging his club career with the Sea Eagles.

But an injury-free pre-season has convinced Cherry-Evans to chase more State of Origin glory with Billy Slater’s Maroons as the Queensland captain looks to atone for last year’s series loss to the Blues.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 22: Daly Cherry-Evans during a Queensland State of Origin Training Session at Sanctuary Cove on June 22, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“Yes, I’m definitely of the mindset that I’m definitely going to be available for Queensland,” Cherry-Evans said.

“And I’ll back myself to play the footy that’s required to be there.

“While I love playing for Queensland, I would not expect to be picked if I wasn’t playing good enough this season.

“If I’m not playing good enough Billy (Slater, coach) and the selectors wouldn’t pick me, which is fair, but I’ll back myself to have another good season and to be there again.

“Ultimately I want to get back there and win back a series.”

Civoniceva was 36 years and 74 days when he played for Queensland in 2012, but Cherry-Evans will be 36 years and 96 days if chosen to play his 26th Origin game in the series opener on May 28.

Cherry-Evans backs himself to still be playing well enough to be selected by Maroons coach Billy Slater. Picture: Getty Images

It’s been a remarkable fightback from Cherry-Evans, whose Origin career looked over in 2015 when he was dropped after just six games for Queensland.

“A friend said to me the other day that I could go past Petero (as the oldest Origin player,” he said.

“That’s a great record. I would love it.

“In this sport, you learn more from your losses and last year’s series loss was a big learning experience for myself.

“It really refocused me.

“It could have been really easy for me to say, you know what, enough is enough, but I’m still keen to lean into this.

“The other part is being part of Billy’s culture in Camp Maroon.

“If I didn’t enjoy being in camps, then I wouldn’t want to spend 30 days away from my family.”

Cherry-Evans says he is still happy at Manly but reveals he did talk to rival clubs when he became a free agent in November. Picture: Getty Images

Cherry-Evans’ longevity and durability is remarkable. Since debuting for Manly in 2011, the champion halfback has amassed 329 NRL games and will make a definitive call in the coming months on whether to suit up in 2026.

Interestingly, the off-contract veteran fielded expressions of interest upon becoming a free agent last November, evidence Cherry-Evans is the NRL’s version of NFL quarterback legend Tom Brady, who won a Super Bowl at age 43.

“I did have some options,” he said.

“Out of respect to the clubs, I’m not going to name them.

“I didn’t want to shop myself around, so I only spoke to a couple of clubs that I felt I might have an interest to play for.

“I’m very happy at Manly, so I didn’t really put myself out there, but the clubs I spoke to, I got a good indication of where they were at and what their futures looked like.

“I am leaning on the side that I would want to keep playing on.

“I’m definitely not leaning towards retirement. I genuinely love playing rugby league.

“I’ve still got the fire burning within.”

Originally published as Daly Cherry-Evans reveals he was approached by rival clubs, opens up on State of Origin future