The Sydney Roosters’ reported pursuit of Daly Cherry-Evans on a one-year, $1 million deal has ignited debate, raising concerns about its potential impact on the club’s promising young playmakers. The move, reportedly agreed upon privately, now faces scrutiny given the emergence of hugo Savala and Sandon Smith, who are vying for long-term halves positions alongside Sam Walker.

The Anasta Perspective: hindsight is 20/20

Braith Anasta, reflecting on the situation, questioned the timing of the Cherry-Evans pursuit, considering the recent performances of the Roosters’ emerging talent.

Now with the form of Smith and Savala and Walker to come back in, is it the right move, as the rumours are that they’ve agreed to this a while back.
Braith Anasta, NRL 360

Anasta elaborated, suggesting the agreement might have been premature, given the subsequent rise of Savala and Smith.

So when they agreed to this, these players weren’t playing the way that they are right now. Has it been a bit premature that decision to get DCE and what are they going to do once he gets ther?
Braith Anasta, NRL 360

Premiership or Bust: Crawley’s High Stakes

Veteran journalist Paul Crawley believes the success of the Cherry-Evans signing hinges on a premiership victory in 2026.

Put it this way, if they don’t win a premiership next year with DCE, I think it would be a failed move.
Paul Crawley

Crawley emphasized the potential disruption to the growth of young players like Sandon Smith and Hugo Savala.

I’ll tell you why, because they’ve got Sandon Smith, man of the match on ANZAC Day. It holds his development up. Hugo Savala, he’s come of age in recent weeks as he’s got his opportunity. It holds him up. He’s on $180,000, mate. He’s a development player. And yet you’re going to bring someone in who’s going to be on top dollar and hold these kids back. What does it do to Sam Walker’s development? Like, he wants to be the chief playmaker.
Paul crawley

ritchie’s Counterpoint: Experience as a Catalyst

Dean Ritchie offered a contrasting view, suggesting Cherry-Evans’ experience could accelerate the development of the Roosters’ young halves.

Come on Crawls, you really think you have to win a premiership in one year at the club to be a success? It’s one year. It probably helps their development to have a bloke there who has played 340 NRL games. Savala’s 23, Smith’s 22, Walker’s 22. They’ve got tons of time.
Dean Ritchie

Crawley, however, remained concerned about the long-term implications for the Roosters’ roster.

Of course it’s going to help them (develop), but does it help the Roosters keep these kids satisfied, who have been given their sniff, their opportunity? If they ended up losing these kids out of a one-year deal for Cherry Evans, I think it’s a failure. They’ve proven in recent weeks that they’re ready for their opportunity.
Paul Crawley

The debate continued, with Ritchie arguing against placing undue pressure on Cherry-Evans to deliver a premiership in his first year.

You can’t put that much pressure on cherry Evans to say if he doesn’t win a comp….
Dean ritchie

Crawley clarified that his pressure was directed at the Roosters institution, not the player.

I’m not putting the pressure on Cherry Evans,I’m putting the pressure on the Roosters. It’s another Dom Young deal. They want all the best players.
Paul Crawley

Tallis’ Take: Premiership Expectations

Gorden Tallis believes the Roosters’ pursuit of Cherry-Evans reflects a clear premiership ambition.

Every side that doesn’t win the competition, you fail. If DCE’s going to one of the powerhouse sides, Cooper Cronk went there. He won. What does he get paid to do? Go there and finish in the top-eight?
Gorden Tallis

Ritchie acknowledged the premiership goal but cautioned against overly harsh judgment.

I’m not saying he doesn’t go there to win comps. of course he does. But to say it is a failed recruitment, if the Roosters don’t win the comp, I think is incredibly harsh on the player and the club.
Dean Ritchie

The Cronk Comparison: A Winning Formula?

Anasta drew parallels between the Cherry-Evans situation and Cooper Cronk’s arrival at the Roosters, which resulted in two premierships.

Well, they did it with Cooper and it worked and they’re doing it with DCE. And they would think it was a failure themselves, I believe. It’s a one-year deal on over a million dollars, they’re buying to win a comp.
Braith Anasta

While acknowledging the potential for Cherry-Evans to aid in player development, Anasta also highlighted the risk of losing young talent.

I actually do think he would help the development myself in that year, but what it’s going to do is it’s going to cost them a player. They can’t hold on to Savala and Sandon Smith. They’d probably end up losing one of them.You can’t have four first-grade halves.
Braith Anasta