Daly Cherry-Evans Confirms Departure From Manly Sea Eagles After 2025

The veteran halfback has declined a two-year extension and plans to continue his NRL career elsewhere in 2026, with rival clubs expressing interest.

Daly Cherry-Evans, Manly's most-capped player, has announced he will leave the Sea Eagles at the end of the 2025 season, concluding a 15-year tenure.
Cherry-Evans declined a two-year, $1.4 million contract extension offered by Manly, citing a decision made in December 2024 to move on from the club.
The 36-year-old halfback has expressed a desire to continue playing in 2026, but not with Manly, prompting interest from clubs such as the Dolphins, Roosters, and Dragons.
Manly officials are preparing for Cherry-Evans' departure by exploring positional shifts, including moving Tom Trbojevic to five-eighth and developing younger players like Lehi Hopoate.
Manly CEO Tony Mestrov remains hopeful Cherry-Evans might reconsider, but the club's delayed contract offer and public handling of the situation have drawn criticism.