‘Really sad’: Drastic decision urged as ‘terrible’ DCE decline poses ugly Roosters situation

Daly Cherry-Evans once again failed to inspire the Sea Eagles’ dreadful attack as Manly’s season hit a new low on Sunday afternoon, leading to fresh calls for the veteran half to retire.

The loss to the Tigers was Manly’s fourth in a row and has seen them plummet down the ladder, with a top eight finish in 2025 now a near impossibility.

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During their losing streak, the Sea Eagles have only managed to average a paltry eight points a game.

Cherry-Evans has told the Sea Eagles he will leave the club at season’s end, with the halfback expected to take up a deal with the Roosters.

Given Cherry-Evans’ disappointing form in the back half of the season and the fact the Roosters deal hasn’t been made official, it has led to speculation the Chooks may try to backflip on their decision.

The halfback responded to those rumours, telling media on Sunday: “I’m doing the best I can and feeling like I can hold my head up high.”

Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield says the recent form of Cherry-Evans has been terrible and Rothfield doesn’t think the halfback should play on in 2026.

“They’re not playing like a team that’s gelling in my view. The last few weeks DCE’s form has been pretty terrible,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast radio show.

“I think it’s getting to a situation where DCE should think about retirement.

“He has been a champion at Manly for so long. He’s playing his 350th game this weekend.

“I hate seeing old champions play on one year too many and I just think it’s really, really sad that he’s been a legendary figure at that football club for so long to not just finish at another club but to struggle in his final year.”

"Worst performance in a long time" | 06:57

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Adding to the Roosters’ conundrum is the blazing form of their team, particularly the halves.

Halfback Sam Walker has arguably been the best player in the competition since returning from an ACL injury just over a month ago.

His sidekick, rookie Hugo Savala, has also been excellent. The 23-year-old Eastern Suburbs product has gone from strength to strength this season.

He has spent most of this year at halfback, but moved to six when Walker returned. The Roosters are unbeaten when Savala has started at five-eighth.

Rothfield believes Cherry-Evans’ arrival could rock the boat.

“These kids have come through. Sam Walker has come back so well from his ACL,” Rothfield said.

“Hugo Savala, on a $80,000 contract, has emerged as a top quality five-eighth with a big kicking game and he will be the player who misses out when Cherry-Evans arrives next year.”

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 08: Daly Cherry-Evans of the Eagles warms up before during the round 23 NRL match between Canberra Raiders and Manly Sea Eagles at GIO Stadium, on August 08, 2025, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Rothfield continued that if Cherry-Evans didn’t make the tough decision to retire at season’s end, it would be a “bad look”.

“He’s going to miss out to a million-dollar signing at 37 years of age. I think it’s a bad look for the Roosters and they should be doing everything they possibly can to get out of whatever agreement they have reached with DCE,” Rothfield said.

“I’m hoping DCE and his management team revisit it themselves and decide he doesn’t want to be remembered as a 37-year -old past his best taking one last pay cheque and putting a local junior out of the Roosters’ side.

“I guess it comes back to morals here. We’ll wait and see how it plays out.”

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