The last thing Daly Cherry-Evans wanted was for his next career move to take any gloss off the Sydney Roosters’ excellent win over the Penrith Panthers.
The Thursday night clash between the two Sydney heavyweights did not disappoint, with the Roosters prevailing 12-6 at CommBank Stadium. It almost doubled as an NRL grand final dress rehearsal, and allowed the Chooks to move to the top of the ladder.
Panthers fans would have left the ground wondering if their side can still go all the way if Isaah Yeo does not return from a pec injury.
The healthy number of Roosters supporters who made the trek west must have been wondering why Cherry-Evans, even at 37 years of age, is giving thought to playing on in the Super League next year.
Cherry-Evans has reportedly been in advanced talks about a move to Hull FC, rather than hang around and play one more season in the NRL.
The halfback was the best player on the field against the Panthers, according to coach Trent Robinson. Cherry-Evans bagged two tries, kicked well, tackled even better, and went about his business with his trademark calmness, which was the very reason the Roosters convinced him to come to their club after 15 seasons at Manly.
Does the man known as “DCE” really want to uproot his young family from the northern beaches to the north of England while still near the top of his game?
Just as he kept everyone guessing about his plans for most of last year, Cherry-Evans said “I won’t leave you hanging” about his 2027 movements.
“I’ve loved every minute of this season, the challenges, the club has accepted me and made it home,” Cherry-Evans said.
“It’s been fantastic on so many fronts. There’s still a job to do. That focus won’t waver to finish the year.
“The stuff in the future, I’ll sort it out and talk to you guys about it at another time. I won’t leave you hanging.”
Pressed on whether England was a genuine option, Cherry-Evans said: “It would be a shame to take the focus off a game like that tonight, I do promise you – and I don’t promise you guys [the media] much –but I won’t leave you hanging too much longer.”
Robinson was grateful to coach Cherry-Evans each week, and even admitted he had been a long-time admirer of him as a player, even before his Bondi arrival.
“I saw him two or three years ago at a charity function, I almost bought his boot for a couple of thousand dollars, but one of my mates got it before me,” Robinson said.
“I loved watching him play, the vision he played with … I’ve actually enjoyed watching him come and want to improve his game as well. To watch him play this year has been a joy.”
Cherry-Evans moved into outright second for most games played with 373. Cameron Smith’s record 430 games looks likely to remain safe, even if the evergreen playmaker stays local.
Andrew Johns said during the week Cherry-Evans should avoid Hull (or “Hell”, as he described it), and was better off focusing on a new franchise like the Perth Bears.
The Roosters have the roster to go all the way, and Cherry-Evans is in the box seat to add a second premiership after clinching one in his maiden season in 2011 with the Sea Eagles.
Even the bunker looked favourably upon Cherry-Evans, with a knock-on missed late in the second half, which meant the Panthers had to drop out rather than play the ball on their 20m.
The Roosters host the Wests Tigers next Sunday, followed by games against the Dolphins and South Sydney.
Penrith are still in the title race to their eyeballs, with Dylan Edwards to strip fitter for his first-up run after a shoulder injury, and the likes of Mitch Kenny (ankle/leg) and Casey McLean (hand) to return. The home side could have done with McLean’s X-factor out wide.
Paul Alamoti hobbled out of the venue with ice strapped to his left hamstring, which means Blaize Talagi could start in the centres next Thursday against the Storm in Melbourne.
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