The grand final win over Newcastle marked Daly Cherry-Evans’ farewell game for the Roosters. Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS
Without making any promises, Daly Cherry-Evans has ruled out a second season at the Sydney Roosters, while backing the NRL premiers’ hardline stance against Sam Walker.
Bound for the English Super League, Cherry-Evans insists he has not fielded any phone calls from Roosters coach Trent Robinson or chairman Nick Politis in the wake of the club pulling its multi-million-dollar deal to Walker to remain beyond 2027.
But even if he does, the 37-year-old won’t be answering any potential SOS call from the Tricolours.
After his glittering 16-season NRL career, Daly Cherry-Evans is heading to the English Super League. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
“No, it’s all done. It’s all done,” Cherry-Evans said on Thursday.
“Look, I’m so proud of my time at the Roosters, but you won’t be seeing me back there as a player.”
Asked if he promised, the veteran playmaker said “No”, but maintained he was content with ending his 16-season NRL career as it started, with a second premiership to go with his 2011 triumph with Manly.
Speaking from experience, having reneged on a lucrative 10-year deal to join Gold Coast to remain at Manly early in his career, Cherry-Evans said he didn’t find Walker’s situation sad at all.
Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans with the trophy after the Roosters’ grand final win. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
“Maybe I’m a little too emotionless with these things,” he said after launching a specially designed range of VB premiership cans at Easts Leagues Club.
“It’s the game, it’s the business. I really admire the way that the Roosters have stood their ground on what they believe to be right for the club.
“That’s one thing that has really shone through at my time here, is that they will put the club first over any one individual.
“And then from my point of view on Sam, Sam’s doing what’s best for him and his family and his future, so that’s the thing within all of this is – no one’s actually done anything wrong.
Despite a premiership-winning season, Sam Walker may have played his last game for the Roosters. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
“Yeah, the emotions get really high and we all want to see people stay and we don’t want to see people leave, and I get it, but at the end of the day, no one’s doing anything wrong here.
“This is just a contract negotiation.”
Cherry-Evans said, as good mates, he’d been in contact this week with Walker, who is in World Cup camp with the Kangaroos in Townsville, and revealed that his grand final-winning halves partner is remaining positive.
“It’s hard to rattle Sammy, or maybe he’ll never let you know how much he is stressed or not doing OK,” Cherry-Evans said.
After his heroics with the Roosters, Sam Walker has hit the ground running with the Kangaroos. (Matt Roberts/AAP PHOTOS)
“But from what I understand in my conversations with him, he’s going well. He’s got good family and friends around him.
“I would back Sam to have a really long career in the NRL.
“We all wanted to see it happen at the Roosters and I’m sure there’s a chance it could happen and still happen, but it’s a game, it’s a business.
“I know we’d love to see our players play for one club, but the likelihood and the reality of that, it just doesn’t happen often anymore.”
If the Roosters do release Walker from the remaining year of his contract as the Queensland and new Australian representative becomes a free agent on Sunday, youngster Toby Rodwell is being earmarked as the likely No.7 replacement.
“I love Toby Rodwell, and I think he’s got a great future ahead,” Cherry-Evans said.
“But I’m not playing hypotheticals with you.”
Australian Associated Press
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