When it comes to grudge matches in 2026 they won't come much bigger than Daly Cherry-Evans' return to 4 Pines Park in Round 4 to face the club he served with distinction for 15 seasons.
Plenty of water has passed under the Spit Bridge since DCE told the Sea Eagles he wouldn't be suiting up for a 16th season but the tension was never far from the surface as the playmaker remained tight lipped on his next move.
Some eight months after dropping the Brookie bombshell, Cherry-Evans and the Roosters finally confirmed that the 36-year-old was bound for Bondi to join forces with Trent Robinson and James Tedesco in pursuit of premiership glory.
Just as Cooper Cronk did in 2018 when he joined the Roosters after 323 games at the Storm and led the Tricolours to a title in his first season, Cherry-Evans will look to deliver the Provan Summons Trophy to his new team.
Come the opening night of Round 4 and DCE should have settled in nicely to his new surrounds and be ready to face a hostile reception at his old stomping ground in Brookvale.
And make no mistake, the 2011 premiership, the 2013 Clive Churchill Medal and the countless match-winning field goals will be long forgotten when he emerges from the tunnel in red, white and blue.
Sea Eagles v Roosters - Round 22, 2025
The Sea Eagles and Roosters have been going at it since 1947, twice meeting in grand finals for a win apiece, with Bob Fulton helping steer Manly to glory in 1972 and Anthony Minichiello captaining the Chooks to a 26-18 win in 2013.
And the Clive Churchill Medal winner on that October night in 2013... none other than a young Daly Cherry-Evans, despite the fact his side had been beaten.
Just another colourful chapter in a 78-year rivalry between two huge Sydney clubs - and in Round 4, 2026 another chapter will be written when Manly's most capped player runs out as a Rooster at the ground he called home for most of his adult life.
