NRL: Bulldogs rule out Cherry-Evans move for NRL 2026 season

The Canterbury Bulldogs have confirmed they will not try to sign outgoing Sea Eagles star Daly Cherry-Evans for the 2026 NRL season.

There was speculation that the halfback would be heading to the Bulldogs after news dropped on Monday that he had rejected a two-year, $1.5 million deal to remain at Manly.

However, Canterbury general manager Phil Gould has denied his club are pursuing the 36-year-old.

“I really admire ‘DCE’ as a person,” Gould said on Thursday.

“He’s an ornament to the game.

“I’ve been a fan of his football his whole career.

“But Daly Cherry-Evans will not be coming to the Bulldogs.”

The same cannot be said for Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who on Thursday expressed his interest in signing the 332-game veteran.

“We haven’t discussed it as yet, but as a business you’ve got to look at it as well,” he said.

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“It’s pretty big news for the game obviously and pretty rare that a player like that comes on the market, especially at this time of the year.

“I’d say we’ll get to that when we know a bit more info, though, about when decisions get made as well.

“I don’t think I need to talk about how good a player he is.

“I think we all know how good he is and how dominant he’s been in many arenas. I think it’s pretty clear for everyone to see that.

“It will be interesting to see which direction he wants to go over the next few months.”

News of Cherry-Evans’ departure comes amid a strong start to the 2025 campaign for the Sea Eagles.

Manly have won two of their three matches and sit fourth on the NRL ladder, with rugby league betting sites pricing them at $15 to win the premiership in 2025.

They take on the Parramatta Eels at Brookvale Oval this Sunday, and NRL bookmakers have them as $1.15 favourites to make it three wins from four to start the year.

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