LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Dolphins are not pursuing Daly Cherry-Evans despite his potential availability, with coach Kristian Woolf stating that no discussions have taken place regarding signing the Manly captain.
While there is a sense of romance about bringing Cherry-Evans back to his junior club in Redcliffe, the Dolphins are content with their current halfback Isaiya Katoa and have no plans to make an approach for the veteran player.
Woolf emphasized that they would only consider speaking to Cherry-Evans if he expressed genuine interest in joining the club first.
Other clubs, including South Sydney and the Dragons, have also distanced themselves from signing DCE due to financial constraints.
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett acknowledged Cherry-Evans' talent but cited salary cap restrictions as a barrier to pursuing the 36-year-old.
Despite the speculation surrounding his future, Cherry-Evans remains focused on finishing his contract with Manly and is open to exploring his options beyond 2025.
The Dolphins' stance on not actively pursuing the star player reflects their confidence in their current squad and their commitment to developing young talents like Katoa.
Woolf's clarification that there have been no conversations with Cherry-Evans underscores the uncertainty surrounding the player's next move, with potential suitors waiting for a signal from the veteran before making any formal approaches.