Daly Cherry-Evans Focused on Grand Final as Manly Farewell

Daly Cherry-Evans is putting all his energy into Manly's NRL premiership push, even as his impending departure from the Sea Eagles is now an open secret. The veteran halfback is determined to end his long tenure at the club with a premiership, a sentiment echoed by former teammate Kieran Foran who says he "deserves it so much". This focus comes as Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has publicly explained the move, confirming Cherry-Evans will not be at Brookvale Oval next season.

Cherry-Evans' Manly exit confirmed by Robinson

Trent Robinson, the coach of the Sydney Roosters, has broken his silence on the club's acquisition of Daly Cherry-Evans. In comments reported on October 2, Robinson outlined the reasoning behind the major signing, effectively confirming the end of Cherry-Evans' storied run with Manly. While specific details of Robinson's explanation were not accessible due to website security blocks, the public acknowledgment from the destination club's coach makes the transfer one of the worst-kept secrets in the league. It marks a monumental shift for both the player and the Sea Eagles, where Cherry-Evans has been a fixture for over 15 years.

Foran's pride in old mate's premiership quest

Kieran Foran, Cherry-Evans' former halves partner and close friend, has spoken with immense pride about his mate's current mission. Foran, who played alongside DCE in Manly's 2011 premiership win, believes the 37-year-old is more than worthy of adding a second title to his legacy. "He deserves it so much," Foran said. This endorsement from a fellow champion and confidant shows the respect Cherry-Evans commands within the game, even as he prepares for a new chapter.

The veteran's unwavering focus on the prize

Despite the swirling confirmation of his exit, Cherry-Evans' professional discipline remains absolute. Reports from late September show his sole concern is delivering a premiership for Manly in what would be a fairytale farewell. He has actively worked to keep the team's attention locked on the grand final task ahead, shielding the squad from external distractions. This leadership in a high-pressure period defines his career. It’s the kind of steadying influence that has made him one of the game's most reliable playmakers for a generation.

What the move means for Manly and the Roosters

The shift of a player of Cherry-Evans' calibre is a seismic event. For Manly, it ends an era and creates a gigantic void in their spine and leadership group. For the Sydney Roosters, it represents a major coup, adding proven big-game experience and organisational skill to guide their talented roster. Robinson's eagerness to explain the move signals how central Cherry-Evans is to the Roosters' plans for the 2027 season and beyond. The challenge for Manly will be immense, but for now, all parties are aligned on one goal: seeing Cherry-Evans lift the trophy one more time in Sea Eagles colours.

Key takeaways from the Daly Cherry-Evans situation:

• His move from Manly to the Sydney Roosters for the 2027 season has been confirmed by Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
• Former teammate Kieran Foran has voiced strong support, stating Cherry-Evans richly deserves another premiership.
• The halfback himself is ignoring all future speculation to concentrate entirely on Manly's upcoming NRL grand final.

This article was written based on reports from October 2026.