Daly Cherry-Evans moves one step closer to signing with Roosters

Daly Cherry-Evans has ruled out finishing his NRL career in Brisbane in a move which would seem to make a Bondi swansong almost inevitable.

Daly Cherry-Evans has informed the Dolphins of his preference to explore NRL options in Sydney - clearing the way for the Queensland Origin captain to finish his career at the Roosters.

This masthead can reveal the romance of a Cherry-Evans homecoming to Redcliffe is all-but over with the Dolphins privately resigned to missing out on the Manly champion.

It is understood Cherry-Evans has advised Dolphins bosses of his desire to look at Sydney-based options first - effectively ruling Redcliffe out of the race for his signature.

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The battle for Cherry-Evans was considered a race in two between the Sydney Roosters and Dolphins after Canterbury football boss Phil Gould last month withdrew interest.

But Cherry-Evans has gone cold on the prospect of relocating to Queensland to finish his career at the Dolphins, putting him on course for an NRL swan song at Bondi.

The Dolphins had formally expressed interest in the 36-year-old and had the salary-cap space to pay in excess of $1 million a season for the premiership No.7.

Daly Cherry-Evans looks likely to be headed to the Roosters in 2026 (note image has been digitally altered).

Cherry-Evans played for the Dolphins’ under-8s and had longstanding family ties to the club via his father Troy Evans and uncle Steve Cherry, who both played for Redcliffe.

But the Dolphins have conceded defeat - believing Cherry-Evans will be at the Roosters in 2026 - and have set their sights on a five-eighth to partner halfback sensation Isaiya Katoa.

Former Broncos skipper and leading SEN commentator Corey Parker believes Cherry-Evans’ signing with the Roosters is a fait accompli.

However, he warned the Roosters against signing ‘DCE’ to a two-year deal, with the Maroons skipper to turn 37 next February.

“If you read the tea leaves, it all points to Daly going to the Roosters,” Parker said.

“They have let Brandon Smith go _ I believe that (the Roosters) is where he is going.

“Daly will fit in anywhere. If he did go to the Roosters, he will call the shots and steer the team around and Sam Walker can play off the cuff and do what he is good at.

“I think it’s a risk to sign Daly for two years. He is turning 37 so I’d be looking at him on a year-to-year basis.”

Parker believes the Dolphins can thrive without Cherry-Evans, saying Redcliffe should build their franchise around 21-year-old Katoa, whom Newcastle legend Matty Johns says can be the No.1 player in the code.

“If I’m Redcliffe, I wouldn’t worry about chasing Daly Cherry-Evans,” Parker said.

“He has a maximum of two years in the game and I think the Dolphins already have a generational playmaker in Isaiya Katoa.

“I have a massive wrap on Katoa. He can be their halfback for the next 10 years-plus.

“He has an incredible calmness and football head on his shoulders _ I’d be signing him up for the long term.”

Former Queensland Origin lock and ex-Titans football boss Scott Sattler says Cherry-Evans would be desperate for a premiership ring in his twilight years at the Roosters.

It’s been 14 years since Cherry-Evans won a maiden title in his rookie year at Manly in 2011.

“If he wants to win a premiership before he retires as a senior player, I believe he is best suited to the Roosters,” he said.

“I think Daly would have been an outstanding mentor for Katoa, but if he goes to the Roosters, they could become a premiership contender.

“The Dolphins would never knock back a quality player like Daly, but the Roosters model has always been about not doing slow rebuilds, they want quick fixes and Cherry-Evans is the perfect solution.”