Daly Cherry-Evans’s teammates want the Manly captain to continue his career into the 2026 season.
Now aged 36, Cherry-Evans is off contract at the end of this year and has remained coy on his future.
He produced some of his best form during the past two seasons, finishing in the top five in the 2023 and 2024 Dally M Medal count.
“He (Cherry-Evans) is like someone who could play for another 10 years, the way he trains and plays,” Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic said.
“He’ll make that decision and that’s ultimately how it will work. But I am very grateful I get to play for him for so long and hopefully get a few more years.”
Manly winger Jason Saab said Cherry-Evans was crucial to the club’s chances of winning its first premiership since 2011.
Cherry-Evans made his first-grade debut in round one that season, playing a pivotal role for the Sea Eagles when they defeated the Warriors 24-10 in the grand final.
“It’s definitely no secret we’ve got one of the best captains and leaders in the game, and that increases our opportunity to win a premiership,” Saab said. “Along with Jakey (Trbojevic) and Turbo (Tom Trbojevic), these guys are not getting any younger. We know we have a great opportunity over the next season or two.”
Saab said no one is looking past round one “but everyone knows we have a window. Every club has a window.
“I remember a couple of years ago, Parramatta had a window and they made the grand final.”
The Sea Eagles reached the semifinals last year in coach Anthony Seibold’s second season with the club.
They open their 2025 campaign against North Queensland at Brookvale Oval on Saturday night.
AAP/ABC