Australia and Queensland half-back Daly Cherry-Evans has backflipped on a proposed agreement to sign with Gold Coast for 2016, and in the process has signed a ‘lifetime’ deal with Manly Sea Eagles.
Under NRL rules clubs must specify contract lengths issued to players, meaning that the official length of Cherry-Evans’ new deal with Manly is a staggering eight years.
But Manly CEO Joe Kelly said: “As long as Daly is playing NRL football, he will be wearing the maroon and white of the Sea Eagles,” describing the 26-year-old halfback as the “key building block” for club.
Cherry-Evans had initially agreed a deal with Gold Coast for 2016 and beyond in a multi-million dollar deal, but has used the controversial round 13 rule to get out of the contract. He admits that Gold Coast are well within their rights to be upset – but he’s had to put his family first.
“[The Titans] have a right to be angry,” Cherry-Evans said.
“But I know it’s something I can live with knowing I’ve done the best thing for me. I’ve gone through a lot of pain through this, but I know it’s all beneficial for me and my family in the long-term outcome.
“In rugby league job security isn’t something many people have. It’s something I’ve been offered and something I’ve been willing to take up.”
