When Ben Hunt decided he'd had enough of the Dragons, it set off a flurry of furious speculation over where next he would ply his trade. Before Hunt we had a similar circus as Cooper Cronk decided to leave Melbourne Storm to play out his career at the Roosters. Thanks to the NRL's refusal to tighten up player market regulations, the future of Daly Cherry-Evans (DCE) has everyone talking, after he announced that his storied career at Manly would come to an end this year.
Rugby league pundits everywhere are making calls to clubs, flicking through player lists, calculating salary cap totals and even looking into real estate to try and crack the mystery of where DCE will next play. We've done none of that, our is list is constructed more on the back of a vibe, considering clubs' perceived needs, and the likelihood of DCE making a difference to each team's fortunes.
Roosters
DCE has been linked to the Roosters previously, but the Chooks seem to be mentioned whenever a big name player goes on the market. They do have Sam Walker who returns later this year from an ACL injury, and Sandon Smith as their future in the halves, and Chad Townsend as back-up for now. They certainly have the runs on the board when it comes to giving a retiring Queensland star halfback a two-year farewell present. They have nothing but pleasant memories of Cooper Cronk's back-to-back premierships at the club. As we know there are some masterful accountants at Bondi, so there would be no issues squeezing him under the cap. They currently sit as favourites in the race.
Bulldogs
Bulldogs boss Phil Gould has declared that he has no interest in signing DCE, but this is the same club that had a red-hot crack at nabbing Ben Hunt. There is a feeling that Toby Sexton is not quite the man to take the Bulldogs all the way and although they have a list of very talented young halves coming through, an experienced head like Hunt or DCE could be the perfect short term solution and mentor. Some will remember the lift the club received when Ricky Stuart came to the club to finish off his career, and DCE could be a similar signing.
Dolphins
The sentimental favourites, with the club already expressing an interest. If DCE is keen to return to his roots, he will feel the draw of the Redcliffe peninsular where he first played rugby league for the Dolphins, as did his father before him. The Dolphins have halves Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa and Sean O'Sullivan, but winless from three outings in 2025, the experience and talent of DCE would be a welcome addition. The club missed the finals in its first two years in the NRL under coach Wayne Bennett, and under new coach Kieran Woolf are yet to win a game. Could DCE spend a couple of years winding down his stellar career in Queensland, and in the process help a club -- which holds a lot of sentimental value to him -- realise its potential?
Titans
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, well, would the Titans be willing to take that risk? They have been mentioned as a possible landing spot for DCE, and they don't seem to have nailed down a strong halves pairing. Coach Des Hasler has a long established relationship with DCE, but he baulked when he was recently asked if he's interested. Considering the Titans had him signed 10 years ago before he backflipped on the agreement to remain at Manly, the club would have to swallow some pride to even enter negotiations again.
Eels
With Dylan Brown's departure, the Eels certainly have the cap space and a clear vacancy in the halves. Mitchell Moses has played plenty of five-eighth and could easily shift to accommodate DCE. The question is whether the short term addition of the Maroons half really helps at this stage of the Jason Ryles rebuild. The Eels would also have bad memories of the last time they bought a Sea Eagles half, with the not-so-successful Kieran Foran move.
Broncos
The Broncos have said they have no interest in signing DCE, even as the clock runs down on their veteran half Adam Reynolds. They already have Ben Hunt on their books, add DCE and the club begins to look like a retirement village for superstar halfbacks. They would at the very least corner the market on halfback experience and prevent other clubs from benefitting from the wares of these three.
Knights
What a combination, DCE at halfback sending Dylan Brown away on one side of the ruck, before combining with his Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga. It would be a lethal trio capable of taking the Knights all the way to premiership glory. Problem is they have too much money tied up in Ponga and Brown and would struggle to have enough left over to lure DCE to the Hunter Valley.
Dragons
Having lost Ben Hunt this season, the Dragons went out and brought Lachlan Ilias from the Rabbitohs to play half. At five-eighth they have the coach's son Kyle Flanagan, doing an increasingly reasonable job. Ilias has yet to prove his consistency as the Dragons struggle in the early encounters. DCE would certainly be an immediate upgrade and there is the lure of Wollongong, should DCE be looking for a change of waves.
Warriors
The Warriors have a Shaun Johnson-shaped hole in their team, as questions linger over whether Luke Metcalf is better suited to playing five-eighth. With the Warriors always seemingly on the cusp of achieving something monumental, the additional of DCE might just be the missing ingredient. Mind you, I said the same thing about James Fisher-Harris at the beginning of this season. DCE might be looking for a change, but is a move across the ditch going literally too far?
Rabbitohs
Coach Wayne Bennett has confirmed that the club is not interested in signing DCE, because they have no room in their salary cap. They currently have their highest paid halfback, Lewis Dodd, running around in reserve grade after he struggled to convert Super League talent into preseason consistency. Bennett has not written him off, he is just letting him adjust and make the necessary improvements to his game. What Bennett doesn't mention is that the club would look incredibly hypocritical, and the fans would probably burn down Redfern Oval, if they signed an old halfback at the end of his career, after not being able to do the same for club legend Adam Reynolds.
Cowboys
If DCE is looking for a return to Queensland, would he consider FNQ? He did spend a chunk of his childhood from the age of 12 in Mackay, which is just a very long torpedo kick from Townsville. The Cowboys are struggling this year and don't really have a dominant choice to play alongside Tom Dearden. After playing finals football in 2024, they look like they will struggle to repeat that effort this season. Could DCE be the answer to their woes next year?
Panthers
It might not be as silly as it first sounds. Following the departure of Jarome Luai, no one has really stood up as Nathan Cleary's new halves partner. They have options, but no standouts and as they have shown in losing three straight games, they are struggling. DCE has proven at the Sea Eagles that he can play alongside another specialist halfback. With Cleary's injury record, DCE would be the perfect back-up. He could also help bring the younger halves along. BUT, would the Panthers be willing to lock up cap money on DCE when they have to keep topping up the salaries of their talented youngsters.
Sea Eagles
Let's be honest, we have all seen this movie before. Lot's of drama, clubs in a bidding war, DCE then signs a deal sending him home to a Queensland club, only for a last minute backflip and 10 more years at the Sea Eagles. No one is suggesting he has another 10 years in him and he seems quite adamant that he has had enough of Manly, turning down their two-year offer worth $1.4 million.
Not really in the race
The following teams have their halves in order and don't appear to have any need for DCE.
Raiders 
Tigers 
Storm
Sharks