Daly Cherry-Evans

Cherry-Evans is already contracted until the end of the 2023 season, but The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read reported that he is in talks about a one-year extension.

That would blow any plans Cherry-Evans’ junior club the Dolphins have to bring him home out of the water.

The in-form Manly skipper could have done little more to press his claims for the Maroons No.6 jersey left vacant by injuries to Johnathan Thurston and Anthony Milford, or potentially a bench utility role if incumbent Michael Morgan moves to the starting side to partner Cooper Cronk.

The third-placed Sea Eagles haven't lost since going down to Brisbane at Suncorp in Round 10 with Cherry-Evans the equal competition leader for try assists (15) and equal second for line-break assists (14).

Cherry-Evans has not added to his six Origin appearances since 2015 and the Sea Eagles captain's wait will extend to another year after he was snubbed in favour of debutant Ben Hunt for next week's game three against New South Wales in Brisbane.

The 28-year-old half-back's fine form at NRL level saw him emerge as a possible replacement for injured star Johnathan Thurston but Maroons head coach Kevin Walters turned to untried Broncos player Hunt for the do-or-die clash on July 12.

It looked as though youngster Jake Trbojevic would assume the role on a permanent basis having already filled in at times in 2016 while Lyon was out injured. 

But Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett opted for the more experienced Daly Cherry-Evans; a move that has been emphatically backed by his teammates. 

Trbojevic led the Sea Eagles eight times in 2016 and it’s been rumoured that coach Trent Barrett seriously considered sharing the captaincy between the two.

Locked up until the end of 2021, still just 27 and the only remaining member of the 2011 grand final side (unless Steve Matai or Brett Stewart decide to go round again), DCE appears to be a natural fit for the role previously held by the retired Jamie Lyon.

“Daly has been a standout during our pre-season. He is a natural leader and was an obvious choice for us as our next captain,’’ Barrett said.