Proud Rooster DCE shares some 'uncomfortable' truths

After playing 352 games in the maroon and white of Manly, Daly Cherry-Evans admits to feeling more than a little strange in red, white and blue but he is ready to step out of his comfort zone in 2026.

Boasting more games for the Sea Eagles than any other player, 36-year-old Cherry-Evans shocked many by choosing to leave the club he had represented with distinction for 15 seasons.

"I'm very uncomfortable being in another club’s colours but deep down I'm really satisfied with the decision and I know how much personal growth is going to be ahead of me next year," Cherry-Evans said.

"I’m proud to be standing here as a Rooster and I’m also proud of my career at Manly. It was great to be part of that club’s history for so long and it was really emotional when I walked out for the last time.

"Fifteen years at one club and having lifetime friends, it's hard to let go of, but you remain friends forever. Friends support you no matter what you do."

Come Thursday March 26 and DCE will square off against those lifelong Manly mates at 4 Pines Park with only one thing on his mind - victory.

"When you play against your mates you just want to beat them, that's all you're thinking about," he said.

"I'm sure it will be a great experience for everyone - playing against my good friends at a place I have so many memories of.

"It's easy for everyone to want to blame people at Manly [for my departure] but the reality is I didn't get traded, I didn't get swapped. I was a free agent and at the end of the season I made a decision to go somewhere else.

"I take responsibility for where I ended up, I'm really proud of where I'm standing right now and the jersey I'm in and I just don't think it's fair to put other people under the bus."

As much as he would have loved to farewell Manly with a second premiership, the club's season went off the rails after a solid 3-1 start and they eventually limped into 10th spot.

Plenty of critics were keen to blame the failed campaign on the upheaval caused by Cherry-Evans' announcement in March that he wouldn't be at the club in 2026 but the champion playmaker is adamant rumours of unrest were off the mark.

"The Panthers won the last four competitions in a row prior to this year and each year they had big-name players leave the club but it wasn’t a distraction for them because they were winning," he said.

"But because we didn’t win it became a distraction - that was the narrative that was pushed to fit the story and I believe people just got it wrong on that one.

"I only signed with the Roosters two weeks ago. I was like anyone else who comes off contract. I treated that process just like everyone else, it’s just everyone else wanted me to tell them what I was doing before I was ready to do it.

"The most respectful thing was to wait until the season was done before telling people what I was doing."

Signed to a one-year deal at Bondi, Cherry-Evans said he is open-minded about how much he can learn from the Roosters' playing group, including fellow halves Sam Walker and Hugo Savala.

How the trio fit into Trent Robinson's 17 and what numbers they wear will be sorted out over the off-season as Cherry-Evans finds his groove in his new surroundings.

"Sam or I could wear No.6 or No.7 and it wouldn’t change a whole lot," he said.

"Visually it might be a big deal if I’m not wearing No.7 but I’d be fine with wearing 6 if that’s what we need to do.

"I have one year to prove I still have what it takes to play at this level. You always need to prove your worth to yourself and your teammates."