LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov denied that the last-minute offer to Daly Cherry-Evans was a knee-jerk reaction, revealing that they had even made a coaching offer to try and keep the Sea Eagles captain at the club.
DCE announced that this season would be his last with Manly, stating on TV that he would respectfully decline the two-year, $1.5 million deal offered by the club.
Mestrov shared a different perspective, explaining that the club had discussions with DCE about playing on after he had informed them last year that he was considering retirement or playing overseas.
The Sea Eagles CEO disclosed, "He doesn't know if he wants to retire.
He's got a coaching offer from us." He emphasized that the club respected DCE's decision but delayed going public until the time was right, which was prompted by recent media speculation.
Mestrov clarified that the offer was not a panic reaction and that they were not caught off guard by DCE's decision.
The Manly CEO stated, "Daly's had to come out with the press around it, we did not want to make him an offer or infiltrate in any way."