Phil Gould believes the Roosters would be making a mistake in signing Daly Cherry-Evans, believing the veteran halfback’s arrival could upset the development of the promising halves already on the club’s books.
Cherry-Evans is yet to declare where his future lies after informing the Sea Eagles he will be leaving Brookvale at the end of the season. The Maroons captain has been linked to a move to the Roosters.
The Tricolours have play-making depth in the form of Sam Walker, Sandon Smith, Hugo Savala, Chad Townsend and promising youngster Toby Rodwell.
Smith’s stocks are on the rise after several eye-catching performances, most notably after earning the Ashton-Collier Medal as player of the match in his side’s Anzac Day win against the Dragons.
“I know there’s been a lot of rumours and a lot of interest in Daly Cherry-Evans from the Roosters. I can’t understand that,” Gould said on his Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
“They’ve got Sam Walker to come back, and they’ve got this young fella, Sandon Smith, who I’ve really rated for a long time, he’s a great kid and getting better. His performance on Anzac Day was extraordinary, and they’ve still got Sam Walker to come back yet.
Is Daly Cherry-Evans heading to the Roosters?Credit: Getty Images
“If they intended on playing Daly Cherry-Evans and Sam Walker in the same team, one of them is going to have to change their role. One of them is going to have to play five-eighth and play left. It’s not going be Daly Cherry-Evans, he’s not going to the Roosters to do that at the back end of his career.
“Which means I think it inhibits Sam Walker’s development as a game-managing halfback for a couple of years while he hands the reins over to Daly Cherry-Evans. They might be able to say, Daly can teach him the ropes, and he can watch what Daly does, but I don’t get it. I honestly don’t get it.
“I don’t see why the Roosters need Daly Cherry-Evans. Nothing against Daly Cherry-Evans, you know what I think of him. He’s an astonishing player and he’s still in great form, but Sandon Smith and Sam Walker are surely their long-term combination, and the sooner they get playing together the better. That’s my take on it.
“And young Hugo improves by the week, he’s always a handy backstop for both of them. And they’ve got some brilliant young halves coming through, [Toby Rodwell] and young fellas in the lower grades that I think have got great potential. So I think they’re well served in that area.”
Sandon Smith breaks into the clear against the Dragons.Credit: NRL Photos
The Roosters have a history of recruiting big names, and their last premiership came off the back of the addition of Melbourne veteran Cooper Cronk.
“Now, they’re a club that always like bright, shiny things,” Gould said. “They love their shiny toys, and they love having the best around. And I guess when Daly Cherry-Evans comes on the market, it’s more about no one else having him.
“They don’t want anyone else to have them, so I’ll have them themselves; that’s just the mentality. If everyone was after a bright, shiny toy, they’re going to get him. That’s just how they are, that’s just the attitude. But I don’t see it. I don’t see why they need him. I really don’t … Perhaps they think their best chance of winning games for their fans and their sponsors is to bring in Daly Cherry-Evans, who’s a proven game winner. But, you know, it’s going to be a hard call on the other boys.”
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