The other big winner from Cherry-Evans’ signing is James Tedesco, the veteran fullback who rolled back the years to have the Dally M Medal stitched up by June and will now have another calm head and fellow leader alongside him in the heat of battle.
Cherry-Evans and Tedesco will not play State of Origin football again, while Walker might be a year or two away from becoming a regular Queensland selection. New recruit Reece Robson will do well to hold out Blayke Brailey for the NSW No.9 jersey, meanwhile, which means the Roosters are every chance of keeping their spine intact during the middle part of the campaign.
Cherry-Evans’ Roosters deal is reportedly worth about $500,000, with an option in the halfback’s favour for 2027.
It is a modest salary, which means there is still plenty in Nick Politis’ billion-dollar piggy-bank to splash on Tedesco should the 32-year-old choose to play on beyond next season.
Mark Nawaqanitawase is off to rugby at the end of next season and has the added motivation of leaving with a premiership ring, while Rob Toia played Origin when essentially still a rookie this year and will only improve for the experience. Hugo Savala will be a classy No.14 and Cherry-Evans’ understudy.
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Cherry-Evans’ great mate Kieran Foran is returning to the Sea Eagles as part of the coaching team, and had made a late, late bid to try and convince DCE to stay put.
“When we spoke, I said, ‘How about a backflip, Chez’, and he just laughed,” Foran said on Thursday.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson knows his young players, many of whom had a good crack in first grade last season, are poised for great things in 2026. All he needs is a bit of luck with injury.
But every coach is only as good as the senior players who drive the standards and expectations for the rest of the group. Cherry-Evans fits that bill perfectly.
“Daly’s experience and understanding of the game will be a strong addition to our group and we’re excited to welcome him to the Roosters,” Robinson said. “I’m looking forward to working with him.”
