Hull FC have been linked with a move for NRL veteran Daly Cherry-Evans.
Hull FC have been linked with a move for Daly Cherry-Evans.(Image: Getty)
Hull FC are the ‘frontrunner’ to sign Australian half-back Daly Cherry-Evans, at least according to reports in Australia that have emerged overnight.
The future of Cherry-Evans has been a hot topic Down Under in recent weeks, with current club Sydney Roosters holding an option for a further year, but a report from Code Sports has stated that the Black and Whites are now in ‘advanced discussions’ with the veteran half, who turns 38-years-old in February.
There have been suggestions that the player could bring the curtain down on a career that saw him play over 350 NRL games for Manly Sea Eagles. However, a year in the Super League with Hull FC is now reportedly being discussed with retirement ‘put on the back burner’.
That could see Cherry-Evans become the latest high profile player to join the Super League competition next season after Wakefield Trinity secured the signing of New Zealand and Samoa Test player Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Castleford Tigers landed former Kangaroo hooker Damien Cook.
Of course, there will be many logistics for any deal to be finalised, and especially if Cherry-Evans was to be a marquee signing. Hull already have three marquee players in John Asiata, Herman Ese’ese, and Will Pryce, with Ese’ese linked with a move away from the club in the last week.
The Black and Whites, who will be coached by Steve McNamara next year, are in the recruitment market and open to bolstering their 2027 squad. They have signed Hull-born full-back Bailey Hodgson and have Will Pryce and Jake Arthur on the books, while Aidan Sezer has been linked with a move away from the club, who have quota spots to use and some salary cap space available.
A household figure in the NRL, Cherry-Evans debuted for Manly in 2011 and played for the Sydney club until the end of last season. Still in good form, he has played 20 times for the Roosters, who are locked in a battle with Penrith Panthers for the Minor Premiership, this year and is a former Kangaroo with 21 Tests to his name.
He also played State of Origin for Queensland as recently as last year and has 26 appearances for the Maroons under his belt.