NRL’s messiest breakups: Daly Cherry-Evans, Dylan Brown the faces of rugby league’s separations

With rugby league in the middle of a slew of high-profile breakups, we take a look at some of the messiest NRL divorces revealing what went wrong between the parties - plus a bonus soundtrack.

NRL breakups are hard to do.

Breaking up is never easy. It’s emotional, rarely amicable, feelings get hurt and someone always feels cheated.

Rugby league is in the midst of its own autumn of breakups.

First it was Dylan Brown, whose good looks, charm and potential made him the ideal partner. Instead, the five-eighth went and found himself a new flame, despite making a long-term commitment to Parramatta.

Then, we all watched on as Francis Molo and St George Illawarra endured a long, drawn-out bust up after months of being estranged.

Now it’s Daly Cherry-Evans and Manly, the couple who survived some tough times in their early years to build what look, from the outside, to be the perfect marriage.

But beneath the surface, Cherry-Evans felt unloved and, in turn, broke Manly’s heart this week with a very public divorce announcement.

You can only think the relationship could have been salvaged had they found a way to communicate their true feelings to each other.

Daly Cherry-Evans and the Sea Eagles in happier times. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey

DALY CHERRY-EVANS AND MANLY SEA EAGLES

Length of the relationship: 17 years

Reason for the break-up: Lack of affection and communication led Cherry-Evans to look elsewhere before announcing he was leaving at season’s end. The Sea Eagles made a last-ditch attempt to salvage the relationship with a two-year extension, however DCE left them on read until Thursday when he formally rejected their advances and putting himself on the open market for the first time since a very public flirtation with the Gold Coast in 2015. The question remains, will he go back with his childhood sweetheart, the Dolphins, or have his head turned by an eastern suburbs socialite?

Meanwhile, Manly have already been actively looking at their options beyond DCE.

Relationship status: Open relationship

When they next cross paths: Every day until the season ends

Break-up song: Don’t Speak by No Doubt

Can money buy Dylan Brown love? Picture: Getty Images

DYLAN BROWN AND PARRAMATTA EELS

Length of the relationship: Nine years

Reason for the break-up: Easy explanation – $13m over 10 years to move to Newcastle. It’s a commitment that the Eels simply couldn’t match. Together since Brown was a teenager and seemingly locked together for the next decade, the Eels inexplicably gave him an out and the Kiwi five-eighth took it, jumping from one long-term relationship into another.

Relationship status: De facto, but still living in the same house

When they next cross paths: Attached at the hip until season’s end. But all eyes will be on Round 11 when Parramatta travel to Newcastle to face the Knights. It’ll be akin to going to prom with your partner and running into your crush.

Break-up song: Don’t dream it’s over by Crowded House

FRANCIS MOLO AND ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Length of the relationship: Three years

Reason for the break-up: Mad Monday can create havoc, but not like this. Molo’s reluctance to attend the time-honoured end-of-season tradition and some unwanted comments from a coaching staff member created tension. The Dragons attempted to resolve the issue but Molo checked out of the relationship in February. Things turned ugly as the break-up dragged out, before finally severing ties with Molo signing with the Dolphins.

Relationship status: Not on speaking terms

When they next cross paths: R14 at Suncorp Stadium

Break-up song: Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac

Lachlan Ilias must wait to have his revenge over the Rabbitohs. Picture: Getty Images

LACHLAN ILIAS AND SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Length of the relationship: Six years

Reason for the break-up: Souths fell out of love with the player former coach Jason Demetriou said would be “the best halfback the club has had in a long time”. Ilias moved to the Dragons but couldn’t exact revenge in Round 2 when Souths prevailed 25-24.

Relationship status: Divorced

When they next cross paths: Round 25 at Accor Stadium

Break-up song: When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars

Blaize Talagi found love with PArramatta’s near neighbour. Picture: Getty Images

BLAIZE TALAGI AND PARRAMATTA EELS

Length of the relationship: Five years

Reason for the break-up: Very few first loves last. Talagi looked to have a bright future at Parramatta but local rivals Penrith batted their eyelids at the 20-year-old and he left the Eels at the altar.

Relationship status: On a break, but their families are still close. Blaize’s brother, Ryda, is in the Eels’ SG Ball team.

When they next cross paths: Round 13 at CommBank Stadium

Break-up song: Blaze of Glory by Bon Jovi

Adam Reynolds loved the Rabbitohs more than they loved him. Picture: Getty Images

ADAM REYNOLDS AND SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Length of the relationship: Over 10 years

Reason for the break-up: Reynolds wanted a long-term commitment that the Rabbitohs weren’t prepared to give, resulting in the veteran halfback signing a three-year deal with Brisbane where he went agonisingly close to ending a premiership drought in 2023.

Relationship status: Over but they say hello to each other on the street

When they next cross paths: Round 10 at Accor Stadium

Break-up song: If I Could Turn Back Time by Cher

The Roosters may come to regret ghosting Terrell May. Picture: Justin Lloyd

TERRELL MAY AND SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Length of the relationship: Three years

Reason for the break-up: Just months after handing May a two-year extension, the Roosters allowed the prop to walk because they wanted to go in a different direction. May has since impressed in a starting role over the opening rounds of the season under Benji Marshall.

Relationship status: Unexplained break-up

When they next cross paths: Round 18 at Allianz Stadium

Break-up song: Bye Bye Bye by NSYNC

John Bateman (L) pictured talking to referee Kasey Badger. Picture: Getty Images

JOHN BATEMAN AND WESTS TIGERS

Length of the relationship: Less than two years

Reason for the break-up: Rumours of a growing rift between Bateman and the club ended in the Englishman sensationally going back home to England in the middle of the season despite having two years left with the Tigers. Ended up returning to Australia and joining the Cowboys.

Relationship status: Bitter divorce, not on speaking terms

When they next cross paths: Round 13 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Break-up song: Leaving On A Jet Plane by John Denver

BEN HUNT AND ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Length of the relationship: Seven years.

Reason for the break-up: Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said it best after Hunt got the seven-year itch. “It’s hard to make someone love you. It really is. Sometimes you try and make it work and I really believe Ben genuinely tried. But the truth is it wasn’t a perfect marriage and it was best for Ben to go.”

Relationship status: Over and Hunt moved interstate

When they next cross paths: Round 11 at Suncorp Stadium

Break-up song: I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt

Ben Hunt was just never that into the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

BEN HUNT AND BRISBANE BRONCOS

Length of the relationship: 10 years before reuniting

Reason for the break-up: A three-year deal from the Broncos against a five-year deal worth $6m from the Dragons was an easy decision for Hunt, who became one of the game’s highest paid players. He has since returned to Brisbane after seven fruitless years in Wollongong.

Relationship status: Reunited

When they next cross paths: They’re back together

Break-up song: I Want You Back by The Jackson 5

Jarome Luai is still BFFs with the Panthers playing group. Picture: Getty Images

JAROME LUAI AND PENRITH PANTHERS

Length of the relationship: 15 years

Reason for the break-up: Panthers coach Ivan Cleary infamously admitted that Luai had yet to prove he was a bona fide halfback, not long before the four-time premiership winner took a five-year deal worth $6m to wear the No.7 at the Tigers.

Relationship status: Complicated, but they remain good friends

When they next cross paths: Round 14 at CommBank Stadium

Break-up song: I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston

David Fifita escaped the clutches of the Roosters. Picture: Getty Images

DAVID FIFITA AND SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Length of the relationship: Four days

Reason for the break-up: It was the equivalent of a rugby league one night stand – Fifita signing a three-year deal with the Roosters only to do the walk of shame just days later and returning back to the Titans.

Relationship status: One-night stand

When they next cross paths: Next year

Break-up song: No Scrubs by TLC

Originally published as NRL’s messiest breakups: Daly Cherry-Evans, Dylan Brown the faces of rugby league’s separations