DCE future not a distraction for Manly: Trbojevic
Manly star Tom Trbojevic insists Daly Cherry-Evans has earned the right to push out an announcement on 2026, with the halfback making clear no call is coming "any time soon".
Cherry-Evans refused to say on Friday night where he stood on next season, three months after announcing this year would be his 15th and last at Manly.
In the time since Cherry-Evans' announcement, Manly have been guilty of going from genuine contenders to fighting to keep pace with the NRL's top eight.
That had prompted external claims the Cherry-Evans announcement had destabilised the Sea Eagles' season, a point rejected by coach Anthony Seibold.
Cherry-Evans addressed Manly players and staff when it was his turn to lead a "campfire" chat in recent weeks, and has been assured his future is not a distraction.
"I've been comfortable with it since day dot," Trbojevic said on Friday night after Manly's pressure-relieving 28-10 win over Wests Tigers.
"He's come and he's openly said what he wants to do and he's entitled to do that.
"He doesn't need to tell me that he's still doing this and this is why he's doing that. Because we're here to play footy and that's the focus.
"Obviously, I was shocked when I heard the news (in March). I thought Cherry was going to be at this club his whole career. So, that was a shock.
"But we're out here doing our job and what he's doing next year is not going to affect me doing my job and he's entitled to that.
"He's played footy for long enough to make decisions on his own terms and it is what it is."
Cherry-Evans had reiterated last month he planned to play into 2026, with the motivation "definitely there" and a deal to come "when the time is right".
At the time the halfback had indicated he would wait until after State of Origin to confirm his plans, before he was ultimately dropped by Queensland for game two.
Trbojevic also still expects Cherry-Evans to play on next year, believing the No.7 is performing well enough to do so.
As things stand, the 36-year-old is widely expected to end up at the Sydney Roosters.
"There won't be anything happening soon, I dare say," Cherry-Evans said when asked if he was close to announcing his next move.
"We've spoken about it as a team, we definitely don't feel it (my future) is a distraction.
Asked whether he was second guessing a decision on whether to play on, Cherry-Evans was coy in his response.
"So we don't go down a rabbit hole, I'll clarify it one more time," Cherry-Evans responded.
"I've made the decision (in March) so Manly were aware, and so I could afford myself the freedom to make a choice that was best for me next year.
"When I do make that announcement it will be because it's the best situation for me and my future.
"The most important thing is how we play this year."
Manly star Tom Trbojevic insists Daly Cherry-Evans has earned the right to push out an announcement on 2026, with the halfback making clear no call is coming "any time soon".
Cherry-Evans refused to say on Friday night where he stood on next season, three months after announcing this year would be his 15th and last at Manly.
In the time since Cherry-Evans' announcement, Manly have been guilty of going from genuine contenders to fighting to keep pace with the NRL's top eight.
That had prompted external claims the Cherry-Evans announcement had destabilised the Sea Eagles' season, a point rejected by coach Anthony Seibold.
Cherry-Evans addressed Manly players and staff when it was his turn to lead a "campfire" chat in recent weeks, and has been assured his future is not a distraction.
"I've been comfortable with it since day dot," Trbojevic said on Friday night after Manly's pressure-relieving 28-10 win over Wests Tigers.
"He's come and he's openly said what he wants to do and he's entitled to do that.
"He doesn't need to tell me that he's still doing this and this is why he's doing that. Because we're here to play footy and that's the focus.
"Obviously, I was shocked when I heard the news (in March). I thought Cherry was going to be at this club his whole career. So, that was a shock.
"But we're out here doing our job and what he's doing next year is not going to affect me doing my job and he's entitled to that.
"He's played footy for long enough to make decisions on his own terms and it is what it is."
Cherry-Evans had reiterated last month he planned to play into 2026, with the motivation "definitely there" and a deal to come "when the time is right".
At the time the halfback had indicated he would wait until after State of Origin to confirm his plans, before he was ultimately dropped by Queensland for game two.
Trbojevic also still expects Cherry-Evans to play on next year, believing the No.7 is performing well enough to do so.
As things stand, the 36-year-old is widely expected to end up at the Sydney Roosters.
"There won't be anything happening soon, I dare say," Cherry-Evans said when asked if he was close to announcing his next move.
"We've spoken about it as a team, we definitely don't feel it (my future) is a distraction.
Asked whether he was second guessing a decision on whether to play on, Cherry-Evans was coy in his response.
"So we don't go down a rabbit hole, I'll clarify it one more time," Cherry-Evans responded.
"I've made the decision (in March) so Manly were aware, and so I could afford myself the freedom to make a choice that was best for me next year.
"When I do make that announcement it will be because it's the best situation for me and my future.
"The most important thing is how we play this year."
Manly star Tom Trbojevic insists Daly Cherry-Evans has earned the right to push out an announcement on 2026, with the halfback making clear no call is coming "any time soon".
Cherry-Evans refused to say on Friday night where he stood on next season, three months after announcing this year would be his 15th and last at Manly.
In the time since Cherry-Evans' announcement, Manly have been guilty of going from genuine contenders to fighting to keep pace with the NRL's top eight.
That had prompted external claims the Cherry-Evans announcement had destabilised the Sea Eagles' season, a point rejected by coach Anthony Seibold.
Cherry-Evans addressed Manly players and staff when it was his turn to lead a "campfire" chat in recent weeks, and has been assured his future is not a distraction.
"I've been comfortable with it since day dot," Trbojevic said on Friday night after Manly's pressure-relieving 28-10 win over Wests Tigers.
"He's come and he's openly said what he wants to do and he's entitled to do that.
"He doesn't need to tell me that he's still doing this and this is why he's doing that. Because we're here to play footy and that's the focus.
"Obviously, I was shocked when I heard the news (in March). I thought Cherry was going to be at this club his whole career. So, that was a shock.
"But we're out here doing our job and what he's doing next year is not going to affect me doing my job and he's entitled to that.
"He's played footy for long enough to make decisions on his own terms and it is what it is."
Cherry-Evans had reiterated last month he planned to play into 2026, with the motivation "definitely there" and a deal to come "when the time is right".
At the time the halfback had indicated he would wait until after State of Origin to confirm his plans, before he was ultimately dropped by Queensland for game two.
Trbojevic also still expects Cherry-Evans to play on next year, believing the No.7 is performing well enough to do so.
As things stand, the 36-year-old is widely expected to end up at the Sydney Roosters.
"There won't be anything happening soon, I dare say," Cherry-Evans said when asked if he was close to announcing his next move.
"We've spoken about it as a team, we definitely don't feel it (my future) is a distraction.
Asked whether he was second guessing a decision on whether to play on, Cherry-Evans was coy in his response.
"So we don't go down a rabbit hole, I'll clarify it one more time," Cherry-Evans responded.
"I've made the decision (in March) so Manly were aware, and so I could afford myself the freedom to make a choice that was best for me next year.
"When I do make that announcement it will be because it's the best situation for me and my future.
"The most important thing is how we play this year."
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The Advertiser
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The Advertiser
33 minutes ago
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Walsh's huge nod after Ponga blow opens Origin door
Reece Walsh has the endorsement of the enemy for a State of Origin recall after incumbent Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was scratched ahead of the series decider. Newcastle confirmed on Saturday the Knights star had suffered a lisfranc injury in Friday's loss to Canberra that will keep him sidelined until late in the regular season. Ponga's injury potentially opens the door for Walsh to return to the Queensland No.1 jersey, after his own return to form for Brisbane. The Maroons' other option would be to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback, after the Dolphins No.1 played centre and wing in the first two games. Back-up centre Jack Howarth is out with appendicitis and Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped by Brisbane. But Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi could be recalled after Billy Slater overlooked him for the opening two games. Ponga's injury is a serious blow to the Maroons, given their game-two win in Perth had offered Slater the prospect of keeping the team intact for the Sydney decider. 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Despite being one of the best fullbacks in the competition, Ponga has been restricted to eight games starting for the Maroons since first wearing the No.1 in 2019. Newcastle said in a statement on Saturday that Ponga would begin rehabilitation, "with the view to returning to play in the back end of the season". Reece Walsh has the endorsement of the enemy for a State of Origin recall after incumbent Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was scratched ahead of the series decider. Newcastle confirmed on Saturday the Knights star had suffered a lisfranc injury in Friday's loss to Canberra that will keep him sidelined until late in the regular season. Ponga's injury potentially opens the door for Walsh to return to the Queensland No.1 jersey, after his own return to form for Brisbane. The Maroons' other option would be to shift Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback, after the Dolphins No.1 played centre and wing in the first two games. Back-up centre Jack Howarth is out with appendicitis and Selwyn Cobbo has been dropped by Brisbane. But Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi could be recalled after Billy Slater overlooked him for the opening two games. Ponga's injury is a serious blow to the Maroons, given their game-two win in Perth had offered Slater the prospect of keeping the team intact for the Sydney decider. But five-time Maroon Walsh has made his case, again impressive in a third-straight Brisbane win later on Saturday as he continues to defy soreness in a heavily-strapped knee. "I'm a Blue next Wednesday but I'd love to see him in that arena; he belongs in that arena," Broncos captain and former Blues half Adam Reynolds said. "It certainly would give the Blues a few headaches and things to think about." Reynolds has long urged the 22-year-old to play with more patience, something he admits is a fragile work in progress. 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News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Footy world divided by controversial Josh Addo-Carr call in Dragons' win
Parramatta was denied a try after a hugely controversial call in the second half of their 34-20 loss to St George-Illawarra on Saturday night. The Dragons led 26-4 at halftime after a dominant opening 40 minutes and appeared ready to coast to victory at WIN Stadium. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. But the Eels had other ideas, scoring three tries in an 11-minute stretch to roar back into the contest at 26-20. Then came the moment that will have plenty of people talking. The Eels moved the ball to the left side of the field with just over 17 minutes remaining, when Sean Russell found Josh Addo-Carr on the left wing. The man known as the Foxx broke a Corey Allan tackle and passed back inside to Russell, who had clear air in front of him to stroll to the line and give Parra the chance to tie the game at 26-26. But the touch judge had other ideas, lifting his flag and ruling Addo-Carr had touched the sideline to stun the Eels fans watching on. When the replay was shown, it was one of the tightest calls you could see on the footy field and far from convincing. 'Addo-Carr is away, it might be 26-26 in a moment,' Andrew Voss yelled on Fox League. 'No the flag is up, a foot over the sideline. Our man is standing by his decision. 'Addo-Carr, left leg down and then the right, where is it? Could be this one. I don't know. 'If it's not, it's as close as you can go. Oh boy.' Steve Roach added: 'I don't know about that. How could naked eye make a call? 'He had a player down in front of him, how could he see it?' Voss then clarified the ruling, stating: 'That is incredible that moment, but once the sideline official's flag goes up, the protocol is you don't go to the Bunker. It was going to be 26-all. 'Send some Panadol to the Dragons' box.' Fans were deeply divided by the incident on social media. Lui Zacher tweeted: 'Touchie has X ray vision to see through a Dragons player, and CSI: Enhance technology to call Addo-Carr's boot on the line 15 metres away, but someone chucks a forward pass right in front and it's 'I didn't see nuffin'.' @aotesam wrote: 'I think his foot *just* went into touch … but there is absolutely no way you can call it with confidence.' Jack Holdsworth said: 'The first time a useless touch judge has ever made a live call and he reckons he's seen 1mm of Addo-Carrs foot on the sideline. Give me a f**king spell.' Mr_Ives wrote: 'That Dragons Eels touchie could see Uranus without a telescope.' Gemma Rogers suggested: 'I thought the touchie got that right. Looked like his foot was just on the line.' LJ declared: 'Parra have been screwed big time there, that was never in touch!' The Dragons eventually scored another try through Valentine Holmes with five minutes remaining to establish a match-winning lead. Voss was left hoping Addo-Carr's moment wouldn't be the biggest talking point of a great game of footy. 'There's been so much happening in this game,' he said. 'I know people are going to go back to the Addo-Carr foot on the line. 'If he's in, it's the closest to being out anyway there's ever been and that would be 26-all at that point. 'But I'd rather savour the game at the moment, rather than the controversy.'
