'Off into the sunset': DCE opens up on retirement plans
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Roosters five-eighth Daly Cherry-Evans has declared he will step aside if it becomes clear extending his playing career will slow the development of the club's emerging playmakers.
The veteran joined the Roosters in the off-season on a one-year deal with an option for 2027 and is not rushing into a decision on his future.
While desperate to lead the club to premiership glory on the field, Cherry-Evans has also been tasked with mentoring an emerging crop of talented halves.
Hugo Savala impressed in his rookie season in 2024 and Toby Rodwell has long been viewed as a future star.
Hugo Savala Try
Cherry-Evans has embraced his role as mentor but recognises a key aspect of the role is knowing when to step aside for the next generation.
"I would say as long as the club's not in a position where they're holding any young kids back, that would be my priority right now in my career," Cherry-Evans said.
"If the Roosters didn't have space for me next year because of the potential of someone else, that is completely okay.
"But as you guys are probably aware, I'm a player that will continue to back myself to play at a higher level."
Match: Sea Eagles v Roosters
Round 4 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
11th Position
away Team
Roosters
15th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Cherry-Evans will return to 4 Pines Park for the first time as a Rooster on Thursday night when his side takes on the Sea Eagles in an early-season blockbuster.
The veteran will wear the No.6 jumper, with Sam Walker taking on the role of lead playmaker in the No.7 jersey.
The combination is a nod to the future as the 23-year-old Walker steadily develops into one of the game's elite halfbacks.
Walker wonderland
Savala, 23 years old, and Rodwell, 20 years old, are waiting in the wings and point to a bright future for the Roosters.
Captain James Tedesco has watched closely as Cherry-Evans has mentored the young crew and can already see the benefits from the dynamic.
"Chez has been a great mentor for all those young halves and Sammy as well," Tedesco said.
"Sammy's constantly asking Chez questions, all the halves are, picking his brain. To have a guy like that come in and learn from him, pass on his experiences, he's only going to make the future generation of our halves better. So that's been a real positive."
The start to the season hasn't gone perfectly to plan for either the Roosters or Sea Eagles, with Manly still chasing their first win of the year.
The Roosters have a victory over the Rabbitohs sandwiched between heavy losses to the Warriors and Panthers and have struggled to hit top gear in their first three games.
Special place in my heart: DCE excited for 4 Pines return
It's not a new position for a team notorious for its slow starts but it has prompted speculation about Cherry-Evans ability to deliver the club's first premiership since 2019.
That, of course, was Cooper Cronk's final season and capped a spectacularly successful two-year stint for the former Queensland great.
Cherry-Evan's arrival has often been compared to Cronk's and he remains confident he can lead the club to similar heights in the next couple of years.
"It hasn't been the start that we wanted as a team," Cherry-Evans said. "Certainly my role within that hasn't been up to scratch just yet but really positive things are going to change and I'm going to continue to try and play good footy.
"If that leads to another year, then that's great. But if it doesn't, that's also not the worst thing in the world as well.
"So I'm really okay with either thing happening, but honestly, I'm not going to know right now. I'm probably not going to know in a couple of months' time.
"I'm definitely not going to be someone who probably retires mid-year as well when it comes to an announcement.
"I think you guys know by now, if I retire, I'm going to be off into the sunset and you'll never see me again."
