DCE v Manly is the NRL at its sexiest. But it’s not why Roosters, Eagles are hot and bothered

March 26, 2026 — 5:00am

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Daly Cherry-Evans’ return to Brookvale Oval brings rugby league’s sexiest subject to the fore: contracts, recruitment, retention, roster management, cold hard cash.

Even a year on from Cherry-Evans announcing his Manly exit on one NRL broadcaster – with an extension offered minutes later on the other host broadcaster – the waters are still muddy around exactly how the Sea Eagles lost their most decorated player.

It doesn’t matter. Far more pressing is when, where and why Manly haven’t already signed quality middles to reinforce a battling forward pack (albeit after chasing Broncos-bound veteran Mitchell Barnett in a player market short on props).

Jake Trbojevic’s future is one thing. But Luke Brooks’ form on roughly $700,000 a year is looming large as another.

For the Roosters, slow starts are nothing new. Sam Walker and James Tedesco have this week........

© The Sydney Morning Herald