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![\"Daly](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/82653705_cherry-evansd-260925_sd_2799_2026925202146.jpg\"\/)
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\n Daly Cherry-Evans in action for the Roosters in their preliminary final win over the Dolphins.
\n \u00a9Scott Davis \/ NRL Images
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Roosters veteran Daly Cherry-Evans has the opportunity to finish his NRL career the same way he began it \u2013 with a premiership.<\/p>\n
Playing a key role as the Rooster booked their place in next week’s NRL decider with a strong win over the Dolphins, Cherry-Evans reignited his partnership with halfback Sam Walker, who was electric in his injury return.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n Daly Cherry-Evans in action for the Roosters in their preliminary final win over the Dolphins.
\n \u00a9Scott Davis \/ NRL Images
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Despite his 16 years of in the competition, the star half \u2013 who joined the Roosters this year to add his experience to the squad \u2013 said he was still learning and praised his Walker for his influence.<\/p>\n
\u201cSam Walker was a good player before I got here, and he’s just showing everyone how good of a player he is and will be long after I’m gone, that’s for sure,\u201d Cherry-Evans said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s been an absolute honour to play alongside Sam Walker, I’ve learned so much from him.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, I hope I have passed on some knowledge to him, but he’d be surprised at how much he’s teaching me and keeping me young, I have learned so much from him.\u201d<\/p>\n
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From the field: Daly Cherry-Evans<\/p>\n
Next year, Cherry-Evans will head to Hull FC to play in the Super League, and no matter the result next Sunday, he will leave Australia as one of the most accomplished halves in the game.<\/p>\n
While his move to the Roosters did raise some eyebrows initially, it has proven a masterstroke to getting the club to another grand final.<\/p>\n
However, for Cherry-Evans, he will only count it a success if he leaves lifting another trophy.<\/p>\n
For all the conjecture about his move – Cherry-Evans said he knew a premiership was a possibility from the very first day.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I signed here. It’s as simple as that,\u201d Cherry-Evans said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe coach, the team, the club.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m just really, really proud to be playing my role within the team \u2026 (but) there’s a lot of work that goes into it.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously the playing group, but then there’s the coaching staff, and then there’s the support of the club, so none of that’s lost on me.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike I said, I’ve just got a high level of appreciation of where I am right now, but I also am not letting my focus drift too far away from what actually needs to be done this week.\u201d<\/p>\n
What asked to reflect on what he would take from his experience of winning the 2011 grand final as a rookie half with the Sea Eagles, Cherry-Evans said it was a memory to last a lifetime \u2013 but his life had changed so much, there was no scope for comparison.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ll remember that day for the rest of my life, regardless of what happens next Sunday night,\u201d Cherry-Evans said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut thinking back to that, myself, my younger self that had that opportunity to be a grand final premiership winner, knowing what’s on the other side of this 80 minutes, I’ll be doing whatever it takes this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat’s on the other side is an extremely special moment for not just anyone in this team, friends, family, club.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s what you play for.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was 22 years old back then. I’m 37 now. Fifteen years is a long time for someone.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ll tell you what, rugby league, I’ll proudly say I’ve grown up in the game of rugby league. I’ve become a father, a husband, and I’d like to think a really good team-mate.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I’ll continue to do those things. I’ll be continually motivated by my own motivations and also trying to continue to gain the respect of my teammates, and for 80 minutes, that’s all that matters.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut rugby league’s been great to me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love this game, and if I could finish with a special moment like a premiership, then it’d be a lifetime memory, no doubt about it.\u201d<\/p>\n