He is at the centre of a contract saga that will forever change the way players are signed to NRL clubs but Titans captain Nate Myles insists Daly Cherry-Evans is a man of good character.
Myles and Cherry-Evans will be teammates at the Sea Eagles from next season but the star No.7's decision to backflip on a four-year deal with Gold Coast on Wednesday has divided the rugby league community.
Many believe he has done nothing but secure the best deal for himself and his family while others denounce the manner in which he effectively held Manly to ransom by signing a contract with the Titans back in March.
The Sea Eagles eventually came to the party and gave Cherry-Evans exactly what he wanted all along but Myles doesn't believe the protracted negotiations should in any way count against his Queensland teammate's character.
"I think it's pretty evident that Daly is a good fella," Myles said on Thursday morning.
"I don't think anyone questions the type of person he is, I know I don't and anyone close to him doesn't question him.
"He's a fantastic guy and a man about his family. He's got a young family and that's the way it rolls.
"I won't ever question him for his decisions. He's a friend and a very good fella."
The friendship between Myles and Cherry-Evans was suggested to be a factor in the Cherry-Evans about face after Myles agreed to a three-year deal to head to Sydney's northern beaches last month.
The pair share the same management company and Myles previously stated that he would give any advice asked for by Cherry-Evans but said that had not been the case in the days leading up to his decision to stay at Manly.
"When it was announced I was shocked. The decision was all about him and his family and mine's for mine," Myles said ahead of Friday night's clash with the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.
"It was a bit of a different outcome than what was expected, it was a bit of a shock to all.
"My decision was made around myself and my wife and the fact that we need to move forward and plan our future. I think it was pretty evident yesterday that Daly's decision was all about his family as well and we move forward from that."
Coach Neil Henry and his staff now turn their attention to not only finding a replacement for Cherry-Evans in the halves but also restructuring a roster that is set for a significant shake-up.
Beau Falloon, James Roberts, Ben Ridge and Eddy Pettybourne are just four regular first-graders waiting to settle their futures but Henry doesn't believe the uncertainty is having a negative influence on their preparation.
"It's the same at all clubs, players are fighting for contracts and clubs are looking at their rosters and it's one of those things that evolves," Henry said.
"At this club we'll reassess where we are now in the player market anyway and hopefully get some signings done which are in the pipeline anyway.
"James Roberts has been talked about, that will happen, and we have to have a look at a couple of other guys that are off contract.
"We're doing what we can with this squad and we think we can achieve something special. We need to get on a bit of a run and get some results and the competition is so tight we need to string a few games together."
