The Gold Coast's decision to baulk at taking up captain Nate Myles' contract option for next year could not only mean the Titans forward joins Manly but he may play alongside Daly Cherry-Evans and young half Kane Elgey at the Sea Eagles.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Cherry-Evans contract saga has taken another extraordinary twist with the Manly No.7 toying with the prospect of remaining at the Sea Eagles where he could play alongside Elgey. Fairfax Media understands Manly are tempting Cherry-Evans with a contract worth $1.3 million a season, dwarfing the money they had offered the halfback to originally remain at the club.
Channel Nine reported on Friday night that Cherry-Evans' management had recently held a meeting with Fox Sports.
It's believed Manly boss Joe Kelly was at the meeting with Fox Sports to discuss a deal that could entice Cherry-Evans to remain in Sydney considering his interest in a career in the media.
Cherry-Evans and Myles share the same manager in Gavin Orr, while Elgey is also part of the Orr stable. While the Titans are keen to re-sign and extend Myles' contract beyond this year, they had hoped to keep the Test star on a reduced contract. Myles has attracted plenty of interest from Sydney-based clubs, with the Sea Eagles, St George Illawarra and Penrith all circling.
Instead of a potential pairing on the Gold Coast, Cherry-Evans and Elgey could play alongside each other in the halves at Manly. The Sea Eagles have yet to replace Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran in their salary cap for next season, giving the club plenty of room to move.
The retention of Cherry-Evans, plus the acquisition of Elgey and Myles, would give the last-placed Sea Eagles a much-needed boost. Titans CEO Graham Annesley said it would be "disrespectful" to contact Cherry-Evans to confirm his commitment following the latest developments.
"I put out a statement last night which hasn't changed, that being that the Orr brothers have said there is nothing to it," Annesley said. "I have no intention of ringing Daly while he is contracted to another club, that would be disrespectful to the club he is currently employed by."
Titans coach Neil Henry would not be drawn into the Cherry-Evans debate but said he expected players to fulfil any agreements they make.
"I'd expect that when players agree to clubs and they go through a process and they make a very considered decision, that they stick to their decision," Henry said. "That's what I'd expect in this situation."
Under the NRL's contract system, players are allowed to backflip on deals up until round 13. Wests Tigers fullback James Tedesco backed out of a move to Canberra last year. If Cherry-Evans remains at Manly, the move could have ramifications for other clubs. The Titans will lose Aidan Sezer to Canberra from next year after the half signed a three-year deal.
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart said he held no fears about Sezer backing out of the deal. "I'm not nervous at all. I've got no reason to panic about it," Stuart said. "I haven't called him to question him about it and I'm not going to. I've got a good relationship with Aidan, I haven't got any concerns in that regard. He's a decent young guy and I wouldn't see him going down that track.
"We've done everything professionally and so has Aidan and his management. I feel very sorry for the Gold Coast and the situation they're in, but Aidan made a decision that was best for his career and his family.
"It's independent of the Daly Cherry-Evans signing, it's a completely different situation. I've got no qualms at all."
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan said his club may have "dodged a bullet" after missing out on Cherry-Evans following prolonged negotiations.
with Chris Wilson
