SEVEN potential replacements for Daly Cherry-Evans

On Monday evening, Daly Cherry-Evans shocked the entire NRL community when news broke that he was moving on from Manly at the end of 2025. Whether or not he continues to ply his trade in the competition remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, Manly need a replacement. There is no Cherry-Evans level player on the market right now, so it's going to be a gamble whichever way they look. It would be easy to say "oh they should sign Galvin, or Sam Walker" but we're looking at seven options I could actually see make the move ... potentially. With that said, below are seven potential replacements for Daly Cherry-Evans: Tyran Wishart The Melbourne utility would be the ultimate replacement. The only roadblock is he isn't off contract for another season. Talks were he was headed to the Dragons but instead chose to stay in Melbourne. With the greatest of respects to the Red V, you'd have to imagine Manly looks a more attractive option if Wishart does want a starting role every week. I have no doubt that he would be up to it. He could play six or seven, with Brooks filling the other position easily. Technically, they can't talk to him until November 1, but that means very little these days. If Wishart is open to moving and playing with the seven on his back every week, this could be a match made in heaven. [caption id="attachment_212929" align="alignnone" width="696"] PENRITH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 04: Tyran Wishart of the Storm looks on during the round 23 NRL match between Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm at BlueBet Stadium on August 04, 2023 in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)[/caption] Adam Doueihi I am a huge fan of the Tigers half turn centre. If he can stay fit, he's absolutely a week to week NRL starter. Doueihi seems to have finally found a home out wide for his current club, but he is off-contract and Manly could come calling. Far more at home in the five-eighth role, Doueihi's potential arrival could mean a shift back into the halfback role for Luke Brooks. It would also potentially mean a reunited halves pairing. Doueihi is a brilliant player and looks to have finally put his injury concerns behind him. Brooks is a much matured half and has settled into a new system at Manly. Worth a chat! [caption id="attachment_103056" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 21: Adam Doueihi of the Wests Tigers looks dejected during the round two NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Sydney Roosters at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, on March 21, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Te Maire Martin I can't believe Te Maire Martin isn't running out for the Warriors in the halfback role. He was so, so good in 2024 beside Shaun Johnson and looked odds on to take over the number seven jersey. I have no doubt the 29-year-old could move back across the Tasman and slot straight into the seven beside Luke Brooks. Or swap them, whichever works. He had 16 try assists in 16 games in 2024. Many came when he was the main man due to Johnson's absence through injury. Someone will absolutely pick TMM up if the Warriors don't promote him back into the First Grade set up. It might be Manly. [caption id="attachment_160952" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 11: Te Maire Martin of the Warriors passes during the round two NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the New Zealand Warriors at Allianz Stadium on March 11, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Joey Walsh For those looking internally, young Joey Walsh seems the most likely replacement. Jake Arthur is currently playing halfback for Manly's feeder team, the Blacktown Sea Eagles, and has NRL experience. That said, Walsh looks the internal prospect. Truthfully I've only seen a few highlights of Walsh but his pedigree is pretty impressive, albeit in the other code. People were talking about Walsh prior to the DCE bombshell so it's not as though Manly didn't already have a plan in place. I'm just not 100% sure they're ready for a complete reset. With Tom Trbojevic, Luke Brooks and co all in "win now" mode, it's a lot to ask of a kid who is playing Jersey Flegg. If Walsh is the guy, expect him to start playing NSW Cup in the not too distant future. That may be a clue on the Sea Eagles long term thinking. [caption id="attachment_217598" align="alignnone" width="696"] Joey Walsh in action. (Photo: Joel Seeto (Manly Media))[/caption] Tom Duffy The wraps on the Cowboys youngster are massive. We didn't see him at his best in the opening rounds of the season but that was through no fault of the rookie. The Cowboys were dusted, including a Brookvale flogging. Being scapegoated at such a young stage of your career can leave a lasting impression. If the Sea Eagles are unable to land a more experienced half, they could look to 21-year-old Tom Duffy. Much like if they went with Walsh, they'd have to hit reset. There's every chance the two youngsters could compete for the role. [caption id="attachment_219248" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 23: Tom Duffy of the Cowboys takes possession of the ball during the 2025 NRL Pre-Season Challenge match between Melbourne Storm and North Queensland Cowboys at Casey Fields on February 23, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)[/caption] Niwhai Puru Niwhai Puru has been NSW Cup's best attacking halfback now for two seasons. He led the Newtown Jets, the Cronulla Sharks feeder club, to the NSW Cup Premiership last season and was brilliant in their narrow Interstate Cup loss. The stats say he had 19 try assists last season but I feel it was easily in the 20s. Yet to make his NRL debut, the 2025 Indigenous All Star could make the short drive across Sydney to don the maroon and white next season. His kicking game is top class and his defence has improved. Attacking wise, he'll suit the expansive Manly system. Again, he'll need time despite being far more experienced than the two younger options just listed. That said, he's ready to go. [caption id="attachment_206187" align="alignnone" width="696"] GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 17: Niwhai Puru of the Sharks warms up during the NRL Pre-season challenge match between Newcastle Knights and Cronulla Sharks at Industree Group Stadium on February 17, 2024 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Izhar Khan/Getty Images)[/caption] Adam Keighran Wigan's Adam Keighran is off contract at the end of the season and could very easily find himself back in the NRL. A former Roosters and New Zealand Warriors player, Keighran has NRL experience and is now a better player for his stint in England. As a Wigan fan, I'd be happier if he re-signed to stay in England, but Manly could ruin that. In his two seasons in England, he's made two Grand Final appearances. A loss to Wigan and then a win with Wigan. You can't ask for more than that. He's 27 and a big body. He would play five-eighth, you'd imagine. The only potential issue here is that he has (mainly) moved into the centres during his tenure across the world. He's been a brilliant ball playing centre but it may be a big ask shifting back into a playmaking role. [caption id="attachment_42124" align="alignnone" width="696"] AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 16: Adam Keighran of the Warriors scores a try during the round 1 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Mt Smart Stadium on March 16, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/2019 Getty Images)[/caption]