“I’m now here on a different journey with a different team. Yeah, there’s some similar players and the same coach, but it’s different. That’s the great thing about rugby league, each time you play in a season, it’s your chance to make history with your own journey.
“I have so much admiration for what Cooper did and if I could replicate the end result, which is to win a premiership at the Roosters, then I’d love that. But how we do it, it’s going to be a completely different journey. It’s a new team, it’s a new year and we’re different people.”
In signing Cherry-Evans, the Roosters have pushed all of their chips in. After the disappointment of last year – the club squeaked into the finals in a season marred by player turnover and injury – nothing less than a premiership will suffice. Even if it meant releasing Sandon Smith to Newcastle and putting promising halves Hugo Savala and Toby Rodwell on ice.
The acquisition of Cowboys hooker Reece Robson, also a State of Origin representative, has resulted in a superstar spine that also includes captain James Tedesco and Sam Walker. A thumb injury will sideline Robson for at least the opening month of the season, but there have already been positive signs after Cherry-Evans and Walker gelled in the final trial match against Parramatta.
“People are going to want to see tries and try assists from us, and trick plays, but we need to make sure that we play the best style of footy that’s going to help us win early on in the season,” says Cherry-Evans, who notes the Cronk-Luke Keary combination took time to deliver.
“Then over time our combinations can expand and grow. We’re working really hard for it to click straight away, but the reality is we don’t know what it’s going to look like until we start to play together.”
Roosters skipper James Tedesco and recruit Daly Cherry-Evans.Credit: Peter Rae
In order to fast-track the process, Cherry-Evans joined coach Trent Robinson and several of his Roosters teammates – including Robson, Tedesco, Victor Radley, Daniel Tupou, Connor Watson, Egan Butcher, Blake Steep and Naufahu Whyte – in completing PNG’s gruelling 96km Kokoda Track.
Over the course of six days, Cherry-Evans built bonds he believes will become apparent on the football field.
“I don’t know how intentional it was from the coach, but the life experience of Kokoda is not just you walking the track,” Cherry-Evans says.
“It is about who you walk the track with, the mateship that you have to have because of the support you have to have for each other out there. You really do have to look out for one another … It was a really important connection piece for me coming to the club. I really appreciated not just the fact I got to experience the Kokoda Track, but I got to connect with my new Roosters teammates.”
Daly Cherry-Evans played 15 seasons with the Sea Eagles before a messy departure in 2025.Credit: Getty Images
Success will depend on how quickly Cherry-Evans and Walker gel. Fortunately, they’re not total strangers; they have spent time together in Queensland Origin camps and were teammates in the 2022 Prime Minister’s XIII side.
“I’ve definitely had time to chat and to see Sam go about his business. To see it on a day-to-day and a week-to-week basis has been really cool,” Cherry-Evans says. “I’m really enjoying the flair that he’s got in his game. One thing I do know is that he doesn’t shy away from the physicality of the game. For someone of his size, if he didn’t have his courage, he would have been retired a long time ago, he wouldn’t have lasted.
“The way he chances his arm, I love it. He’s really enjoyable to be around, he’s got a great personality, he’s super respectful. He’s also got a really curious mind as well, so I’m really enjoying learning about Sam Walker.”
This will be Cherry-Evans’ 16th NRL season, and the first where he isn’t wearing the No.7 jersey. It has instead been handed to Walker, in what some interpret as a pointer to their respective roles and responsibilities.
“Honestly, I think it’s more of a deal for everyone at home than it is for me,” Cherry-Evans says.
“I think there’s so much of my game that’s not going to change. The number’s obviously going to be a different look, but you’ll see a lot of the same stuff when it comes to my game.
“I always found it a privilege to play halfback. I think there’s a great responsibility that comes with being a halfback for a side, and it’d be crazy for me not to lean into some of those leadership things, some of those game-management things that I’ve learned as a halfback.”
Only four other players have played more NRL football then DCE. Cherry-Evans has made 352 appearances and could this season leapfrog Cronk (372) if he remains injury free. Contracted for this year with an option for one more, it remains to be seen how close the former Sea Eagles captain can get to Cameron’s Smith record of 430.
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“I’m going to give everything I’ve got this year and see where it ends up,” he says.
Whether that means finishing his NRL career the way it started – with grand final glory – remains to be seen.
“It’s hard to win a premiership, let alone in the later parts of your career, and after you’ve changed clubs,” he says. “It’s extremely rare. That’s the media side of our game, it’s the fairytales and the storylines.
“I’m not doing it to be a storyline … I am aware that that’s what people do or don’t want to see. I’m doing it because I’m a determined footy player that wants to go out there and do the best with this team.”
