‘Suck it up’: Phil Gould exposes Daly Cherry-Evans slap in the face

NRL supremo Phil Gould has unleashed a scathing rant by calling out one club as rumours swirl surrounding Daly Cherry-Evans’ future.

NRL supremo Phil Gould has been left gobsmacked by one club’s reported interest in Daly Cherry-Evans.

The Manly skipper stunned the NRL when he announced he would be departing the Sea Eagles at the end of the 2025 season.

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While speculation continues to run rife over where the star halfback will take his talents, Gould couldn’t quite believe the Sydney Roosters had been linked with signing him.

The Canterbury Bulldogs GM says the move would be the ultimate slap in the face to young star Sam Walker.

“I can’t understand why the Roosters are in the conversation for Daly Cherry-Evans,” Gould said on 100% Footy.

“I mean they have invested heavily in Sam Walker long term as their No.7. So you want to put that on hold for two years and … play him six — Cherry-Evans is not going there to play six and play on the left hand side of the field.

DCE has been linked with the Roosters. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Gould slammed the Roosters going after the star halfback. Picture: NRL Imagery / Scott Davis

“He is going to come there to play seven — if he goes there. I don’t think he is. I don’t think he is even in the frame. I can’t understand why the Roosters would be remotely interested in putting that roadblock in the way of Sam Walker’s development right now and holding him back for another two years while Cherry-Evans takes over the team.

“The idea of investing in Sam Walker was so he could be the long-term halfback and learn how to manage and control the team now that senior players have left.

“So you just have to be a bit patient. That would be a knee-jerk reaction to bring Cherry-Evans in over the top of Sam Walker.”

The Roosters have stumbled out of the blocks to start the 2025 season, currently sitting second last on the ladder heading into Friday’s clash against the Broncos in Brisbane.

Despite the early season struggles, Gould isn’t buying the assertion the club could use Cherry-Evans’ experience to guide Walker’s growth.

“Nah. Zero. I think you are putting him on hold for two years,” Gould said.

Gould believes Sam Walker’s growth would be stunted by bringing in DCE.

Cherry-Evans’ future remains the talk of the NRL world. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

“I am being serious. The club has invested in Sam Walker as the No.7. That is what they have done. Now you are going to say to Sam just sit back for a couple of years, we are going to get Cherry-Evans to show you how to do it.

“No. Sam Walker has done his apprenticeship, he is just about to come into his important years and he needs to run the team.

“The Roosters need to be patient with that. I don’t see that bringing in Cherry-Evans at this stage is going to benefit Sam Walker at all.

“They have just had a huge transition. They have lost a lot of senior players and a lot of talent. There has to be a time sometimes where you stop, take a breath and start working on a plan over the next two or three years to rebuild.

“Let me tell you if they try to rush it, they will stuff it. I think that would be a bad decision.”

Paul Gallen hit back by suggesting the NRL powerhouse rarely do rebuilds and bringing in Cherry-Evans would pump the brakes on one, Gould responded “they need to suck it up and do it”.

Gould says the Roosters need to “suck it up” and stick with Walker. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Walker currently remains sidelined through injury with fierce debate being sparked over whether or not the Roosters should put him on ice for the entire season.

News Corp’s Brent Read suggested on NRL 360 the Roosters could keep Walker on the sidelines for the entire 2025 season if the Roosters are out of finals contention by July.

That prompted a fiery response from Braith Anasta and ignited a heated debate on Monday night.

Read said: “If their season is over come July-August, why would you risk him? Why don’t you give him the rest of the year off, get him right for 2026?”

Anasta fired back: “That’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard in my life.”

Read replied: “Really?”

Anasta said: “Yeah it is.”

Read said: “They’ll be 1-6 in two weeks!”

Anasta: “I don’t really care if they’re in finals contention, I’m still playing Walker. If he’s available, I’m playing him.

“If they both come back with nine rounds to play, they got Brandon Smith and Walker back and win eight out of their last nine, what happens then?”

Read: “It may not matter the way they’re going. Mate, they’re 1-6 in two weeks.”

He said he was “writing off’ the Roosters’ finals chances.

Anasta: “Do you know what’s going to happen? Are you Nostradamus?”

Phil Rothfield added: “The Roosters have a responsibility to the game to put their best side on the park. They can’t score a try from a kick. Sam Walker is a million dollar player — to suggest they should rest him is outrageously silly.”

Originally published as ‘Suck it up’: Phil Gould exposes Daly Cherry-Evans slap in the face