‘There is a real divide’: Teammates accuse DCE of ‘derailing’ Manly’s season as Maroons snub looms

Daly Cherry-Evans is reportedly responsible for dividing the Sea Eagles’ dressing room over his decision to leave the club.

Manly captain Cherry-Evans dropped a bombshell back in March when he announced he’d be leaving the club at the end of the season.

The veteran halfback didn’t commit to continuing his playing career but he’s been heavily linked with a cross-town move to the Sydney Roosters.

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 >

The Sea Eagles have lost four of their past five games and Cherry-Evans’ Maroons jersey is no longer a lock heading into his clash against the Cowboys on Saturday.

“Off the back of that loss to Cronulla last Sunday, there has been a lot of noise around that there’s worse than splinters in the Manly camp, there is a real divide,” James Hooper said on NRL 360.

“It all centres on that decision he made on live television, the club was blindsided and there’s been a massive flow-on effect.

“Some players, senior players, are struggling and they believe that decision essentially derailed their season and looking at current form you would have to say that’s the way it’s tracking.

“How would you feel Gordie if one of your teammates said at the start of the season they were leaving?”

DCE contract saga to 'derail' QLD camp | 02:53

“Well Wendell (Sailor) did it and I was gutted,” Gorden Tallis responded.

“Wendell promised us he was going to stay and then he went to rugby union and you do feel gutted. The senior players do feel hurt when you lose (another senior player).”

Cowboys halfback Tom Dearden is pushing for Cherry-Evans’ Queensland jumper or a spot on the bench.

But journalist Dave Riccio revealed a left-field No. 14 option for the Maroons could have Cherry-Evans in trouble.

“It all comes back to form and showing your teammates that you’re willing to rip in every single week. We saw that really good performance against the Panthers and then the nowhere performance against the Sharks,” Riccio said.

“He has to show his teammates he’s willing to rip and tear for Manly. At this point in time I can understand why his teammates are going ‘hang on, are you in or are you out?’.

“The big one is this Saturday night, if he flops and Dearden fires… the fact that Billy Slater is considering Kurt Mann as a utility option on his Maroons bench… Kurt is such a valuable utility for the Dogs and they have a huge opinion of him.

“But if there is a dip in DCE’s form (and Dearden gets picked halfback), they have a ready-made utility in Kurt Mann.

Watch your team in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership. Stream every round LIVE, with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

Hynes 'the man' in Sharks balancing act | 02:09

MORE NRL NEWS

HOOPS: Crystal ball on Galvin’s future call is getting clearer... this is when it’ll happen

ELITE: He cost them a bomb, but Fogarty officially signs with Manly after tug of war

‘STATEMENT’: How Cronk would have handled Mam’s return differently to Broncos

RD 11 TEAMS ANALYSIS: Broncos’ huge Mam call as Cowboys swing the axe

“It’s a pretty small bench… small, mobile, fast feet through the middle, that’s the belief I understand. There’s a lot of football to be played this weekend, I’ve heard Beau Fermor’s name come up as well as a bench option.

“That bench spot for the Maroons, that No. 14 is suddenly a bit more open.”

Watch LIVE coverage of the 2025 Betfred Super League season on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer

Click here to read article