Jake Trbojevic takes stand after ‘shock’ of Daly Cherry-Evans’ exit announcement

Jake Trbojevic concedes Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans soap opera has not been a good look for the Sea Eagles but says he’s no chance of ever following the halfback out the door.

Cherry-Evans’ presumptive successor as Manly captain, Trbojevic said the Sea Eagles playing group had made peace with the veteran’s decision to leave the club after 15 seasons.

On Thursday, Manly’s most recent premiership-winning halfback formally turned down a two-year, $1.4 million extension to remain at the Sea Eagles beyond 2025, three days after swatting away an offer presented to him on live TV.

“I wanted to confirm I was leaving the club now, rather than making a call later in the season, so that we can get on with our goal of winning a premiership,” Cherry-Evans said in a statement.

“I love this club and this group of players.

“I am fully committed to giving my absolute best over the coming months to make this season the best it can possibly be for our team, our club and our fans.”

Cherry-Evans had informed Trbojevic and select Manly players of his decision earlier that day, and addressed the remainder of the squad on Wednesday.

But the saga has largely played out in public, after Manly failed to use the ample time available over the off-season to tie down their most-capped and most important player.

“It doesn’t look the best, does it? The way it’s all happened,” Trbojevic said on Thursday.

“It was a bit of a shock (hearing the news), definitely didn’t see it coming. But that’s his decision. We’ve just got to accept it.

“We’re just respectful that that’s what he wants to do. That’s how he wants to go about things. We’re supportive of that.

“It’s not going to change how I go about things.”

After Cherry-Evans, Trbojevic and brother Tom are the club’s longest-serving and most vital players and both can negotiate with rival clubs for 2027 from November 1.

The impending loss of Cherry-Evans alone looms as a major blow to Manly’s premiership credentials, and the club would be left to reconfigure completely if they lost the two eldest Trbojevic brothers.

Jake Trbojevic still has faith in Manly’s management to handle contract negotiations despite the Cherry-Evans saga and can’t see himself ever playing for another club.

“Definitely not, I’ve always played for Manly, I don’t think that would ever happen,” he said.

“It doesn’t make me one bit worried (about management). I’ve played at Manly my whole career, I’ve been treated very well. It definitely doesn’t have me worried at all.”

Trbojevic is Manly’s vice-captain and has previously filled in as captain when Cherry-Evans has been unavailable.

He is eager to take on the role full-time next year, insistent Manly will remain competitive acclimatising to a new first-choice halfback for the first time since 2010.

“I’ve been lucky enough to lead this club before, I hope next year going forward, I get to lead this club,” he said.

“I love this club and I’ll do everyone proud. That’s what people need to take confidence in.

“We’ve got great players at this club. We’ll have a long off-season to work out how we want to go about things but I think this club throughout its history has always been a competitive club.”

Meanwhile, Trent Robinson has admitted the Sydney Roosters must have a look at Daly Cherry-Evans as the Dolphins declared they had cash to splash on the Manly halfback.

Considered the early front-runners for Cherry-Evans’ signature, Robinson claimed on Thursday the Roosters were yet to discuss the prospect of signing the veteran.

But the Roosters coach left the door open for a potential pursuit, joining the likes of the Dolphins, Canterbury and Gold Coast this week in refusing to deny any interest.

“We haven’t discussed it is the first thing,” Robinson said.

“It’s pretty rare that a player like that comes on the market, especially at this time of the year. We haven’t discussed it as yet.

“But as a business you’ve got to look at it as well. I’d say we’ll get to that when we know a bit more info, though, about decisions getting made as well.”

Robinson’s comments came as Brisbane ruled out a play for the 36-year-old, with Michael Maguire backing Ezra Mam and Ben Hunt if Adam Reynolds retires at year’s end — though Reynolds has emerged as a potential Cherry-Evans replacement at Manly.

The Roosters also already have James Tedesco and Reece Robson on their books for next year, with both part of the same management stable as Cherry-Evans.

If Cherry-Evans does stay in Sydney, the Roosters and Bulldogs loom as the most likely options for the 36-year-old.

The other option is a move north and the potential romanticism of finishing his career at the Dolphins, after his father Troy played for Redcliffe in the Brisbane Rugby League.

- with Scott Bailey and Joel Gould, AAP