‘Deal in Place’: Andrew Johns Delivers Bold Statement on DCE as Roosters Declare Interest

Sydney Roosters head coach Trent Robinson has acknowledged that the club may contemplate making an offer for departing Manly Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans while reinforcing his commitment to develop the team around $1 million playmaker Sam Walker.

However, rugby league legend Andrew Johns has raised suspicions that Cherry-Evans has potentially already made arrangements to join a new club, hinting at the Roosters as the frontrunners for his services, “with a handshake or a wink, wink, nod, nod.”

“We haven’t talked about it, that’s the first thing,” Robinson remarked on Thursday afternoon.

“It’s undoubtedly significant news for the sport and quite unusual for a player of that calibre to be available, especially at this stage of the year. Although we haven’t engaged in discussions yet, it’s something we need to consider as an organisation. I’d say we’ll look into it further once we have more concrete information regarding [when] decisions will be made.”

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On Monday night during an appearance on Nine’s 100% Footy, Cherry-Evans expressed his openness to playing in the NRL next season but stated he had yet to decide which club he would join if he chose not to retire.

Johns expressed skepticism regarding that statement on Nine’s Freddy and The Eighth.

“I reckon a deal has already been struck. He may not have officially signed yet, but I believe he’s come to terms, whether it’s ‘with a handshake or a wink, wink, nod, nod.’ [I suspect he’s indicated], ‘I’ll be there,'” Johns stated.

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