The Sydney Roosters believed they had found the missing piece to their premiership puzzle when they signed Daly Cherry-Evans to partner Sam Walker in the halves.

But as the season reaches the final few rounds, the star-studded halves pairing is yet to completely convince everyone that it can deliver the Tricolours its first premiership since 2019.

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With the Roosters sitting in second place on the ladder – only behind premiership favourites Panthers – Braith Anasta questioned whether their two star halves can steer them through the finals series.

“Can you see Sam Walker and DCE taking the Roosters to the premiership?” Anasta said on NRL 360.

“I think they can and I think they have the potential to at times in games throughout the year when they’ve needed to deliver, but I’m still not sold.”

GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 21: Daly Cherry-Evans of the Roosters leaves the field with team mate Sam Walker due to weather during the NRL pre-season match between Sydney Roosters and Parramatta Eels at Polytec Stadium, on February 21, 2026, in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Gorden Tallis agreed that the Roosters have what it takes to go all the way but insisted the halves needed to settle on who should take the reins when it comes to the attack.

“They have to (win the comp). I don’t think they’ve clicked as well as people would have thought,” the NRL 360 co-host said.

“They’ve either got to give the keys to Sam or give them to DCE.”

While Tallis believes the Roosters need greater clarity over who should control their attack, CODE Sports reporter David Riccio offered a different perspective on the role Cherry-Evans can play in attack.

Rather than simply being another playmaker alongside Walker, he believes that the former Queensland skipper could provide the on-field leadership that has been a common feature of successful Roosters sides in the past.

Pointing to the likes of Brad Fittler and Cooper Cronk, the veteran knows when to guide his teammates through the difficult periods of the match just like he did over the weekend against the Bulldogs.

“When the Roosters have won comps they’ve had almost a coach on the field at the same time,” Riccio said.

“Freddy [Brad Fittler] when he won the comp (and) Cooper Cronk when they won the comp there. I think DCE is getting close to that.

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“Sam didn’t have a good game against the Bulldogs and it was just DCE plugging the kicks into (Jethro) Rinakama, almost coaching the boys back into the contest and his influence.

“This is what he has been brought in for.”

Anasta agreed that Cherry-Evans’ influence can often go unnoticed, but argued his ability to produce decisive moments could prove crucial when the match is on the line.

“It is subtle but his moments have impacts on games and his kicking game, whether it’s a 40/20, long kick or field goal that iced the match a few weeks ago,” he continued.

“He’s not in game all the time, but when he does inject it’s subtle, but it’s important.

“It’s really Sam’s team, but I think Sam’s got to be more dominant and get more touches and have a lot more of an impact.

“I don’t want to see him sit back and let Teddy dominate too much.”