The moment DCE knew he could win a premiership with the Roosters

September 26, 2026 — 12:00pmRoosters supremo Nick Politis was standing at the back of a packed lift after full-time at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night when someone asked him about Daly Cherry-Evans and what a wonderful signing he had been.“He has, but he still missed a couple of goals tonight,” Politis said, before breaking into a smile.Just as he prized Cooper Cronk out of Melbourne to help the Roosters win NRL titles in 2018 and 2019, Politis’ decision to go after fellow veteran and Manly favourite Daly Cherry-Evans is 80 minutes away from looking like another masterstroke.Cherry-Evans, 37, the oldest player in the game, has given 84-year-old Politis, the oldest billionaire owner and chairman in rugby league, bang for his bucks. He was in the thick of everything during the Roosters preliminary final 36-20 win over the Dolphins.Like Politis, Cherry-Evans has done his best to keep the spotlight off him, especially knowing he will finish up after 16 glorious years next Sunday night before joining Hull for one season in the English Super League.He won his first title in his maiden year at Manly in 2011 – and is on the cusp of another ring in his swansong.One more win: Daly Cherry-Evans is 80 minutes away from a fairytale finish to his NRL career.NRLWithout the risk of sounding arrogant, Cherry-Evans said he knew he was a chance of bowing out a winner the moment he spoke with Politis and joined the Roosters.“When I signed here, it’s as simple as that,” Cherry-Evans said, when asked about the moment he knew he was at a club capable of winning a title.“The coach, the team, the club. I’m just really, really proud to be playing my role within the team.“Of course I’ve been dreaming about it.“I’m at a club and in a team that has a lot of like-minded people, so when I say I’m not surprised where we are, we’ve been working towards this and talking about this since November last year.“We’ve given ourselves an opportunity, but the job’s not done yet.”Cherry-Evans spent 15 years on the northern beaches, just as Cronk spent 14 years in Melbourne. Cronk left the club for love, while Cherry-Evans was left with little choice but to exit once the Sea Eagles were not willing to meet his demandsProving a point to Manly, however, has never entered his mind.Roosters chairman and owner Nick Politis.NRL“My motivations are so internal,” he said.“It’s those storylines that might be created around [me leaving] Manly, but it’s honestly got nothing to do with why I’ve continued to play the game of rugby league.“I’ve loved everyone at Manly. I’ve loved every minute of Manly, but this is not about Manly.“I am way more internally motivated than trying to stick it up any one. I’m too old for that.”Cooper Cronk with Roosters coach Trent Robinson after winning the 2018 grand final.NRL ImagesIf Manly is loathed by opposition fans, Cherry-Evans was certainly aware of the little love from neutral supporters when it comes to the cashed-up Roosters.“It has become a thing, hasn’t it, and not just this year,” he said.“I felt like when the opportunities arose, everyone was quick to jump off us, and that in itself has actually been really great for us.“The internal motivation is extremely high, and external doubt can be a nice little recipe sometimes.”A big reason the Roosters pursued Cherry-Evans was to help one of their favourites, James Tedesco, clinch a third title before he walks away from the NRL.The big-game experience and leadership has allowed Tedesco to play with more freedom.Coach Trent Robinson said Cherry-Evans has left his mark at the club.“I’ve loved the way he has played, he’s playing great footy, he cares about his footy, and he’s had a huge impact on this group,” he said.“He’s had an amazing career. It wasn’t about a fairytale [ending], it was about us getting through to next Sunday and finishing it off. He’s been a huge part of that.”News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Friday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.From our partners