Manly are considering making a play for Gold Coast’s Tanah Boyd, a move that could result in the playmaker auditioning as the long-term successor to Daly Cherry-Evans.
Boyd is contracted until the end of 2025, but the Titans have granted him permission to immediately explore other options given the club has halves Kieran Foran, Jayden Campbell, AJ Brimson and Carter Gordon at their disposal.
Several clubs have been sounded out about the prospect of picking up Boyd, who has made 69 NRL appearances since making his debut in 2019. The 24-year-old’s availability has piqued the interest of the Sea Eagles, initially as a back-up for Cherry-Evans and potentially even as his replacement.
Cherry-Evans is contracted for next year, but is yet to decide whether it will be his last. The Maroons captain is still performing at the age of 35, but it’s unclear how long he wants to play on.
The two players originally earmarked as successors to Cherry-Evans – Josh Schuster and Jamie Humphreys – have both been released and picked up by South Sydney.
Manly have halves cover in the form of Jake Arthur, who missed a portion of last season due to stress fractures in his foot. They also recently signed Australian under-18s rugby flyhalf and captain Joey Walsh, who will step into the club’s top-30 roster in 2025, and Junior Wallaby Onitoni Large from Wests Tigers. Incumbent pivot Luke Brooks is also contracted long-term.
Tanah Boyd in action for the Titans.Credit: Getty
Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold knows Boyd from their time together at Brisbane, where the latter came through the junior ranks. Manly have opened up an additional roster spot by releasing Jaxson Paulo to the Cowboys, in return for a promising prop D’Jazirhae Pua’Avase in their supplementary list.
Manly are also toying with the idea of recruiting John Bateman, who has two years remaining on his Wests Tigers contract. A deal will only go ahead if the Tigers are prepared to significantly subsidise the transfer, making the move an outside chance.
