LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has made it clear that Daly Cherry-Evans will not be joining the club next season, despite his appreciation for the departing Sea Eagles captain. This comes as the pressure mounts on Manly coach Anthony Seibold, who has indicated that Cherry-Evans' likely replacement, Joey Walsh, a former schoolboy rugby star, is close to making his NRL debut.
The matchup between the Dolphins and Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park this Saturday is significant, as it marks Cherry-Evans' 350th game for Manly. This milestone occurs amid turmoil, with fans expressing frustration over the team's inconsistent performance and the uncertainty surrounding their captain's future, further increasing the pressure on Seibold.
Cherry-Evans has announced that this season will be his last with the Sea Eagles, stating an expectation to join the Roosters in 2026. He had hoped that such an announcement wouldn't serve as a distraction, but it has since overshadowed Manly's current season, negatively impacting his performance along with that of the team.
While Cherry-Evans has not officially confirmed his next move, he mentioned that he had discussions with the Dolphins earlier this year. Woolf, however, has dismissed the possibility of him joining Redcliffe in the upcoming season. "There is no point talking in ifs and buts. I have said before I think his future is somewhere else," Woolf told reporters. "We'd obviously said we would love a player of his calibre, and I love everything about who he is as a bloke and what he has done as a player, but he won't be coming to us."
The Dolphins have secured talented halfback Isaiya Katoa until 2028 and have strengthened their roster for the following season by signing Brad Schneider from Penrith. Although off-contract playmaker Sean O'Sullivan is likely to leave, Woolf is satisfied with his current halves setup.
"Kodi Nikorima and Jake (Averillo) will play No.6 for us next year and Brad comes in," Woolf stated. "I like what he is doing at Penrith. I like his versatility and what he is doing as a halfback. I like the fact he can play six and nine. They are the halves next year."