LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken

Rooster in the Penn house: Round 4 locked in for DCE's Brookie return

In 2026, one of the most anticipated grudge matches will be Daly Cherry-Evans' return to 4 Pines Park in Round 4, where he will face the Sea Eagles-his former club, which he represented with distinction for 15 seasons.

Since DCE's announcement that he would not be playing a 16th season with the Sea Eagles, much has unfolded, yet the underlying tension has remained, as the playmaker stayed silent about his next steps.

Approximately eight months after his surprise decision, Cherry-Evans and the Roosters finally announced his signing. The 36-year-old will join forces with coach Trent Robinson and star player James Tedesco in their quest for championship success.

Similar to Cooper Cronk, who signed with the Roosters in 2018 after playing 323 games with the Storm and won the title in his inaugural season, Cherry-Evans aims to bring the Provan Summons Trophy to his new team.

By the time Round 4 kicks off, DCE will likely be well acclimated to his new environment and prepared for a hostile reception at his former home in Brookvale.

Notably, the long list of achievements-including the 2011 premiership, the 2013 Clive Churchill Medal, and numerous match-winning field goals-will fade from memory as he steps onto the field donning red, white, and blue.

The rivalry between the Sea Eagles and Roosters dates back to 1947, featuring two grand finals where they split victories. Bob Fulton guided Manly to triumph in 1972, while Anthony Minichiello led the Roosters to a 26-18 victory in 2013.