The DCE Bombshell – Behind the Scenes of a Media War

The boys dive into the shock announcement that Daly Cherry-Evans will leave the Manly Sea Eagles at the end of the season. Paul Kent unpacks the media manoeuvres, the so-called “lowball” offers, and his own prediction for where the veteran playmaker might land next.

The Timeline: How a Media “Meltdown” Happened

Kent paints a picture of a chaotic afternoon across the media landscape as news of Cherry-Evans’s departure broke. Channel 9’s Danny Weidler was first with the scoop, revealing that DCE had informed Manly he would not be there next year. Kent explained that the halfback’s manager, Joe Weeby, tipped off Weidler to secure DCE an exclusive appearance on 100% Footy. Meanwhile, as Channel 9 pre-recorded their interview, rival network Fox Sports scrambled to respond on NRL 360. According to Kent, Fox contacted Manly CEO Tony Mestro, who countered the story by claiming the club had made a last-minute two-year, $1.4 million offer. Kent dismissed this as little more than “ass-covering”, suggesting that Manly were blindsided by DCE’s decision and only raised their offer in panic once they realised he was serious about leaving.

Disrespect and “Lazy Management”

Kent didn’t hold back in criticising Manly’s treatment of their long-serving captain. Before the fallout, the club had reportedly tabled a one-year deal worth just $400,000—a substantial pay cut for an active Queensland Origin half. Kent accused the Sea Eagles of complacency, believing they assumed that at 36, DCE had no other options and would simply accept whatever was put forward. “He’s 36, but he’s not playing old,” Kent noted, pointing out that Cherry-Evans has missed only 23 games across a remarkable 16-year career. By taking his situation public, DCE’s manager turned what looked like a discounted final contract into a masterstroke—instantly boosting his client’s market value from $400,000 to well over $1 million.

Next Destination: The Sydney Roosters?

While several clubs, including the Dragons and Titans, have been linked with Cherry-Evans, Kent believes the Sydney Roosters are the frontrunners. He drew parallels with 2017, when the Roosters deliberately tightened their salary cap in one tough season before rebuilding into a title-winning outfit. With Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Luke Keary departing, the Roosters have both the funds and the history of signing seasoned leaders like Cooper Cronk to mentor younger players. A future spine of James Tedesco, DCE, and Reece Robson would give the Roosters three elite Origin-calibre stars. In Kent’s view, Cherry-Evans would be the ideal “quarterback” figure to guide rising half Sam Walker over the next couple of seasons. The fact that DCE’s manager also represents both Tedesco and Robson could make negotiations in the Roosters’ favour even smoother.

The Fallout: A “Circus” at Brookvale?

Despite the uproar, Kent cautions that fans should resist booing their departing skipper. Cherry-Evans, he argues, has given too much to Manly to be treated badly in his final year. Nonetheless, the move piles pressure on coach Anthony Seibold, especially after the club allowed promising young half Jamie Humphreys to join South Sydney—leaving them without an immediate heir to their star playmaker. The looming question now is how Manly rebuilds both their squad and morale after losing one of their greatest servants.

Quick Hits: The “Halfback Drought”

Kent closed the discussion by pointing to a more systemic problem within the NRL—the scarcity of top-quality halfbacks. Even breakout players like Jamie Humphreys, he argued, are thriving mainly because they play alongside experienced leaders such as Cody Walker. The shortage of proven playmaking talent means that the market value of an established half like DCE has never been higher. His move not only reshapes Manly’s future but also highlights just how few commanding halfbacks the modern game is producing.

Catch the full discussion on Fanatics TV.

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