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Live sport on SN this weekend'Not about Manly': DCE eyes fairytale Roosters finish
Joel Gould, AAP • September 26th, 2026 2:30 pm
Daly Cherry-Evans celebrates winning through to the grand final with the Sydney Roosters | Photo: Jason O'BRIEN/AAP
Daly Cherry-Evans has no desire to "stick it up" Manly by winning a premiership with the Sydney Roosters as he opened up on his motivations for finishing his NRL career with a bang.
After qualifying for what will be his third grand final, the 37-year-playmaker revealed how his decision to finish his career in Super League for Hull FC next year was all about "the timing" and it had worked wonders for his mindset.
There is no doubt his exit from the Sea Eagles was messy, after 352 games with the club where he won a title in 2011 in his first year and later captained with distinction, but getting justification for his move to the Tricolours is not a narrative he buys into.
Daly Cherry-Evans was feted by Manly fans after his final game with the club | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
"I've got to be honest, my motivations are so internal. It's those storylines that might be created around Manly, it's honestly got nothing to do with why I've continued to play the game of rugby league," he said.
"I've loved everyone at Manly. I've loved every minute of Manly, but this is not about Manly.
"I've loved everyone at Manly. I've loved every minute of Manly, but this is not about Manly.
"I am way more internally motivated than trying to stick it up anyone. I'm too old for that, honestly."
Cherry-Evans said he knew from the moment he signed at the Roosters that a premiership was in the offing, due to the roster and the coaching program headed by Trent Robinson.
The 36-20 win over the Dolphins in the preliminary final has given him the chance at a fairytale finish against either Penrith or Newcastle.
"The job is certainly not done yet. I'm super proud, and we're exactly where we want to be," he said.
"Of course I've been dreaming about it. I'm at a club and in a team that has a lot of like-minded people, so when I say I'm not surprised where we are, we've been working towards this and talking about this since November last year.
"It's been a long time since I've had the opportunity to play in a grand final. So it's not lost on me how much work goes into this."
"Of course I've been dreaming about it. I'm at a club and in a team that has a lot of like-minded people, so when I say I'm not surprised where we are, we've been working towards this and talking about this since November last year.
"It's been a long time since I've had the opportunity to play in a grand final. So it's not lost on me how much work goes into this."
Daly Cherry-Evans can cap his NRL career with a dream finish | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
The Hull FC move next year came out of the blue externally, but it also was a real tonic for the man himself.
"I can't explain it any more than the feeling was just so right for the family and I to accept that whatever happens this year is going to be the end," Cherry-Evans said.
"And I think there was something powerful about me accepting that this was the last year … it's just helped me keep a really sharp focus around what we as a team want to get out of this season, and … it's just heightened that hunger to go and finish with a premiership."
"I can't explain it any more than the feeling was just so right for the family and I to accept that whatever happens this year is going to be the end," Cherry-Evans said.
"And I think there was something powerful about me accepting that this was the last year … it's just helped me keep a really sharp focus around what we as a team want to get out of this season, and … it's just heightened that hunger to go and finish with a premiership."
Cherry-Evans has played in two grand finals. Winning in 2011 in his debut season at Manly will inform how he approaches the week ahead.
Daly Cherry-Evans won a title at Manly in his first season in 2011 | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
"I'll remember that day for the rest of my life … knowing what's on the other side of this 80 minutes, I'll be doing whatever it takes this week.," he said.
"I was 22 years old back then. I'm 37 now. Fifteen years is a long time for someone.
"I'll proudly say I've grown up in the game of 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 teammate.
"But rugby league's been great to me.
"But rugby league's been great to me.
"I 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.
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