“Talking with my family, we’re ok with the decision, we’re at peace with it, and we understand that it’s not going to make everyone happy, and there’s going to be a lot of Manly fans that are really upset with this.
“I understand that, but as a family and the friendship group … but as I said we’ve been aware of it for a while now…The last couple of hours have definitely been really bizarre, to be completely honest with you. But prior to that, my management company and I have [had] really transparent conversations with people at Manly.”
The 36-year-old said his focus was now on finishing the season with the Sea Eagles.
“I’m not looking to engage in any chats anytime soon. I’m hoping by coming out and saying this, everyone can understand the full focus is on Manly and charging towards the finals this year…and then if I do feel like I’ve got more in me to keep playing on, I think when the time is right later in the year, I’ll engage those conversations. But at the moment, it’s very much up in the air for sure,” he said.
Cherry-Evans is still regarded as one of the NRL’s premier halfbacks and has started the year in stellar form. A number of rival NRL clubs are monitoring his situation in the hope he decides to play on into his 16th season.
A premiership winner in his first season at Manly in 2011, Cherry-Evans is also the incumbent Queensland captain and halfback, and said the next decision to make was whether he would play Origin in 2025.
“That’s probably the next thing on my mind,” Cherry-Evans said. “When you talk about parts of the game you love, I don’t love doing weights and I don’t love doing cardio, but I love playing State of Origin.
“So that’s going to be something that’s really hard for me to separate from. So my heart’s definitely in it still, but I reckon over the next month or so I’ll get really clear on if that’s going to be the best thing for me and my body and the Manly club…it would be really hard to say no to Origin again this year.”
There has been speculation the Dragons, Roosters and Dolphins are among the clubs keeping tabs on Cherry-Evans.
Cherry-Evans is on a deal worth close to $1 million this year. He is still playing at a high level and remains arguably one of the top four halfbacks in the competition, alongside Nathan Cleary ($1.2 million), Mitchell Moses ($1.25 million) and Jahrome Hughes ($900,000).
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The Sea Eagles have already spent big money on retaining the likes of Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula, Jason Saab and Taniela Paseka, and have salary cap restraints in 2026.
Cherry-Evans met Manly officials over the off-season to discuss his future. At the time it was reported the Sea Eagles were working on a contingency plan for life after his departure.
That involved fullback Tom Trbojevic potentially moving into the five-eighth role, opening the door for young Tongan international Lehi Hopoate to move permanently to fullback. Hopoate has since signed an extension with the club.
Since debuting for Manly under Des Hasler in 2011, Cherry-Evans has notched a club record 333 games for the Sea Eagles.
Cherry-Evans has led Manly to nine finals series, two grand finals and a premiership in his 14 seasons with the club.
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