Sea Eagles’ looming DCE bargain buy amid NRL’s shock valuation for $1m playmaker
Sea Eagles veteran Daly Cherry-Evans is still contemplating his NRL future, but the NRL has opened the door for one club to grab a bargain.
Sea Eagles veteran Daly Cherry-Evans is still contemplating his NRL future, but Manly could be set to secure a bargain coup should he re-sign for a further season.
That is according to the SMH, who are reporting the NRL has valued the 36-year-old at $400,000 in 2026, with his current contract expiring at the end of 2025.
That valuation reportedly aligns with Ben Hunt’s $650,000 valuation at the Broncos this season, with the former Dragons halfback being 34 years of age.
The valuation shows little respect for a player that captained Queensland in 2024.
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Those figures are nominated by the NRL as a minimum salary for players to be signed off on the club’s salary cap, serving to stop contracts being signed that are below market value.
However, Sea Eagles bosses reportedly came into the 2025 season with the belief this campaign would be Cherry-Evans’ last.
The veteran playmaker reportedly has an opportunity to join Manly’s coaching ranks, while media opportunities could also become available.
As it stands, Cherry-Evans reportedly is yet to make up his mind on his future and he will turn 37 next season.
However, rival clubs are reportedly watching the situation intently and the experienced halfback could garner bids of around $800,000 on the open market.
The Roosters are reportedly one of those clubs, and The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield revealed on NRL360 that Cherry-Evans is hopeful of securing a two-year deal to play on.
“He wants a two-year deal and he wants decent money. Despite his age, he’s only missed 20 games in 15 years. A lot of those were Origin. He is very durable,” he said on Monday.
“He wants a two-year deal from 2026. One year with a one-year option.”
Originally published as Sea Eagles’ looming DCE bargain buy amid NRL’s shock valuation for $1m playmaker
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