Daly-Cherry Evans heads list of playmakers heading to market

Cherry on top: Daly Cherry-Evans has been in top form for Manly this year. Photo: Getty Images

Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans heads a list of more than half a dozen top playmakers who will go on the open market before the end of the season.

Rival clubs will be able to begin negotiations with Cherry-Evans, off contract at the end of next year, from November 1. The Manly No.7 headlines a list of star halves available from 2016 including Canterbury's Trent Hodkinson, South Sydney's Adam Reynolds, Brisbane duo Ben Hunt and Josh Hoffman, Gold Coast pairing Albert Kelly and Aidan Sezer and Parramatta's Chris Sandow.

Cherry-Evans' Sea Eagles halves partner, New Zealand international Kieran Foran, is also permitted to test his value on the open market in three months' time and is unlikely to commit until Cherry-Evans' fate is known. Todd Carney, likely to head to France next year, could also be an option for clubs in 2016 if the NRL is prepared to register him.

''I've not seen the likes of it,'' a leading player agent said. ''There's never been this much halves talent up for grabs at one time.''

Cherry-Evans is the biggest name on the list and despite Parramatta's salary cap problems this season, the Eels have identified him as a marquee recruit who can turn them into genuine contenders.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur, an assistant coach at Manly last year, has a close relationship with the Queensland and Australian playmaker. That could be a factor in their favour as a host of clubs, most notably Brisbane, vie for the Redcliffe product's services.

While it's understood the Broncos are prepared to table a deal worth $1.1 million per season, the Eels will struggle to compete financially due to salary cap restraints. The wooden-spooners are still paying several players who were punted as part of previous coach Ricky Stuart's cleanout, which could limit their ability to recruit aggressively.

If the Eels get their man, it doesn't necessarily signal the end for Sandow. However, the incumbent halfback, on a deal worth $550,000 per annum, would need to take a drastic pay cut.

The Eels haven't won a premiership since the legendary Peter Sterling was the club's halfback. Officials believe Cherry-Evans is the ideal person to lead the young talent coming through the ranks of the blue and golds.

One factor tipping Cherry-Evans towards leaving Manly is his uneasy relationship with the senior playing group. There has been a much-publicised divide between the 25-year-old and some members of the squad, raising the hopes of potential poachers. While the Sea Eagles are keen to upgrade and extend Cherry-Evans' contract, his manager has indicated he will likely test his value on the open market.

While much has been made of the coaching merry-go-round now Wayne Bennett has announced himself a free agent, the abundance of halves talent on offer will make the player market just as competitive. The Broncos have opened dialogue with Hunt's management as a contingency should they miss out on Cherry-Evans, while Hodkinson's stocks have soared after steering NSW to their first series win in nine years.

Reynolds may be forced to move on after the Rabbitohs signed youngster Cody Walker to a squad already containing Luke Keary and John Sutton, while the Gold Coast will have big recruitment and retention decisions to make after commissioning a review of their operations.

Melbourne's famed spine is in need of an overhaul, with Ben Roberts heading to the Super League and youngster Ben Hampton also likely to move on. The Cowboys are yet to find a long-term partner for Johnathan Thurston, while the Sharks are scrambling for a replacement for Carney.

Halfbacks for hire

On the open market in 2015 (rivals can negotiate from November 1):

Manly: Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran

South Sydney: Adam Reynolds

Canterbury: Trent Hodkinson

Gold Coast: Albert Kelly and Aidan Sezer

Brisbane: Ben Hunt and Josh Hoffman

Parramatta: Chris Sandow

*Todd Carney is not a registered player after his contract was terminated by Cronulla

Hard to compare but I think the right edge looked better with Samrani on the weekend.There is no doubt Will has alot of talent but he looks like one of those players who would excel somewhere else since his debut he hasn't really been challenged for…

Replies

Hamish July 18, 2014 at 8:11am

Given that Parramatta have their hands tied for next year, you would be hoping our salary cap woes will come to somewhat of an end in 2016. For next year who should we be negotiating with? I'm a big fan of Chrissy Sandow, but I'm not sure if his off the cuff style of footy will lead to a premiership.

I'm a believer in trying to secure DCE, as he has been to grandfinals and obviously has reservations about staying at Manly. That is if we don't have to break the bank, which is unlikely.
Tragiceel July 18, 2014 at 8:16am

DCE, Ben Hunt, Aidan Sezer in that order.
Will 5150 July 18, 2014 at 8:29am

Talk of DCE, talk of Izzy, retain Hayne, retain Hoppa... is the cap increasing massively or are we just going to have a team of about 8 blokes run out?

Interesting article though - things always get a bit exciting when a good half comes on the market but to have so many at the same time is going to see a bidding war erupt I'd say. There will have to be some movements... going to be interesting.
Alan Hunt July 18, 2014 at 8:42am

x2 Ron, you know your stuff champ i would take Foran over the lot of them. We also spotted early what a useless pile of Shit Mossop was as well.
Outrunna July 18, 2014 at 8:56am

Adam Reynolds and kieran Foran. only because we have no money and none will come to us
- Paynted > Outrunna July 18, 2014 at 10:14am
  
  I love Chrissy and despite what everyone else thinks i also like Norman, especially compared to the other no.6's we've had over the years. But i don't know if you were serious or not but Adam Reynolds and Kieran Foran would be a deadly combination, Reynolds is a brilliant goal kicker. I think we would lose the unpredictability of Sandow but we would gain so much more attacking power.
  
  Here's hoping sharks go after Sandow to replace Carney and Rabbitohs want a halves pairing of Korisau and Sutton.
  
  Imagine two years from now having a team with Hayne, Hoppa, Radradra, Israel, Reynolds and Kieran Foran. I could definitely see us gettting a premiership with those players in our team.
Pugger July 18, 2014 at 9:02am

have to make a play for DCE, even if its just to push his price tag up so he takes up more of Manlys salary cap. He is the NRL's premir play-maker and would be worth every penny to parra. I cant see Sandow being re-signed unless we have no other option.

Also, depending on what happens with corey norman and ryan matterson, im big fans of aiden sezer and albert kelly. if we decided not to retain norman and pushed matterson into a ball playing lock/2nd row position, i think parra should make a play for kelly and then sezer. Or both if we miss out on other halves and dont resign sandow.
Alan Hunt July 18, 2014 at 9:05am

Make a play for both Manly halves and hopefully nab one of them.
parra supporter July 18, 2014 at 9:10am

I, not 100% convinced on DCE as of yet. He plays amazing for manly, but he is playing along side a test five eight, two of the best centres in the game (I rate Lyon as the best and as much as I dislike him and matai there talent is indisputable) , a great fullback , and strong finishers on the wing i.e. George tafua. They also have a decent forward pack. I'm not 100% convinced he'd be able to dominate when leading our pack
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst July 18, 2014 at 9:16am

I personally dont care if we break the cap just as long we get DCE, if parra want a comp and compete with the others!!
Dogs have a team full of test players n somehow stay away from media speculation.