Queensland Origin skipper Daly Cherry-Evans rules out move to NRL’s 17th team

Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has opened up on his NRL future as Brisbane’s proposed second NRL team targets homegrown stars.

DCE with the 2011 premiership trophy. Picture: AAP/Dean Lewins

Daly Cherry-Evans has ruled out returning to Queensland to lead Brisbane’s proposed new expansion club as the Maroons and Manly skipper outlined his dream to engineer another Sea Eagles premiership.

Cherry-Evans backed the NRL’s plans for a 17-team competition and as Queensland captain, ‘DCE’ would be a prime target to spearhead a new Brisbane club to co-exist with the Broncos and finish his career on home soil.

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But in the lead-up to Manly’s opening finals clash against Melbourne this Friday night at Sunshine Coast Stadium, Cherry-Evans is determined to be a Sea Eagle for life.

The 32-year-old is off-contract at the end of 2023 and while he sees merit in a fourth Queensland team by 2024, Cherry-Evans says his heart is with a Manly club chasing their first premiership since 2011.

“A lot would have to change for me to leave Manly,” he said.

Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans (fourth from right) helped launch the 2021 NRL finals series at Suncorp Stadium.

“I still have two more years left on my Manly deal, so I wouldn’t be off-contract until 2024.

“A lot would have to change for me to end up in Queensland.

“I’ve always supported the idea of another Brisbane team in the NRL, but to be honest I don’t think there is much chance I would be involved in a new Queensland team.

“I would support the idea of it, however ... another Brisbane team would be fantastic for the area.”

Cherry-Evans has a history with NRL expansion hopefuls the Dolphins, having played junior football in the Redcliffe system en route to his arrival at Manly a decade ago.

The Queensland Origin schemer has not ruled out signing one more deal with Manly, but admits he is wary of making the mistake of playing 12 months too long.

“I could play on beyond 2023,” he said.

Daly Cherry-Evans would love to see the NRL expand with a fourth Queensland team but says he is committed to finishing his career at the Sea Eagles.

“But I say that tentatively because I have seen so many teammates over the years who just assume they will play forever and all of a sudden they hit a wall and don‘t get through the season.

“I love playing footy, my body is feeling really good and as long as I am keeping up with everyone else and competing at a high-level, I will always continue to play.”

Asked about finishing his career with a cameo heading-up a second Brisbane team, Cherry-Evans said: “There is so much more for me to consider with a young family.

“One, I love Manly and I love playing for the club, and I still want to play a role in more success at the club.

DCE with the 2011 premiership trophy. Picture: AAP/Dean Lewins

“Two, my family is well set-up, I have three kids now and by that stage (season 2024) all three will be in school, so it would be hard to move them (to Queensland).

“It (season 2024) is just too far away. I don’t want to put that pressure on myself to say that I will play on, but I am loving football right now.”

Ironically, it was Cherry-Evans’ involvement in the wild Brookvale brawl of 2011 against Melbourne that convinced him the Sea Eagles could win that year’s premiership.

A decade later, Cherry-Evans is back to face the table-topping Storm, convinced victory over the minor premiers this week could ignite another title charge.

“The fight that night was a big part of the theatrics and it was a huge moment thinking, we just beat Melbourne and we will charge into the finals and win the comp,” he said.

“We know the big hurdle that’s in front of us. It’s a big hurdle. It’s Melbourne Storm, they have won another minor premiership.

“But now is not the time to second guess. It’s the time to double-down on your beliefs and values and hone in on that. We have identified our trademarks and we believe we can take it to another level.

“We’re here. We think we can win it. There are seven other teams who think they can win it, too. Someone is lying to themselves, but we don’t think that’s us.

“It’s up to you guys (the media) to call us dark horses and all that sort of stuff, but we truly believe we can win.”

Originally published as Queensland Origin skipper Daly Cherry-Evans rules out move to NRL’s 17th team