LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Gorden Tallis recently criticized Wendell Sailor's departure from the Broncos in 2001, linking it to current issues faced by Daly Cherry-Evans and the Manly Sea Eagles.
During an appearance on NRL 360, reporter James Hooper revealed that Cherry-Evans' decision to leave at the end of the season has created a significant divide within the Manly team.
The club began the season strongly but has since lost four out of five matches, with team morale reportedly suffering due to Cherry-Evans' announcement.
"There has been a lot of noise around that there's worse than splinters in the Manly camp, there is a real divide," Hooper stated, noting that the club felt blindsided by Cherry-Evans' decision.
The fallout from this decision has apparently affected senior players, who feel that it has derailed their season.
Tallis reflected on his own experience with Sailor's departure, saying, "Wendell promised us he was going to stay and then he went to rugby union, and you do feel gutted." He emphasized the emotional impact such exits have on senior players.
Cherry-Evans' performance has noticeably declined recently, with a particularly poor showing against the Sharks, raising concerns about his selection for the Queensland team in the upcoming State of Origin.
With Tom Dearden impressing and Kurt Mann emerging as a contender, Cherry-Evans faces potential exclusion from the squad if coach Billy Slater aims to include both Dearden and Mann in his final selection.