Daly Cherry-Evans targets NRL grand final win in final game
- Roosters playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans is eyeing a historic premiership victory in his final NRL game on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Accor Stadium in Sydney, capping a 15-year...
- Reflecting on his career trajectory, Cherry-Evans acknowledged that his style of play and personal life have undergone significant transformations over the past decade and a half.
- If you look at anyone who's 22 years old and fast forward to them as a 37-year-old, things change.
Roosters playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans is eyeing a historic premiership victory in his final NRL game on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Accor Stadium in Sydney, capping a 15-year career that began when he led Manly to the 2011 title as a rookie. The veteran playmaker is preparing for a grand final showdown against the Knights, marking his first appearance on the game’s biggest stage since 2013.
Cherry Evans Reflects On Evolution From Instinctive Rookie To Veteran Halfback
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Cherry-Evans acknowledged that his style of play and personal life have undergone significant transformations over the past decade and a half. The 37-year-old playmaker noted that he is now a husband and father with a much deeper understanding of team requirements compared to his early years.
If you look at anyone who’s 22 years old and fast forward to them as a 37-year-old, things change. I’m a husband and a father now. I’m sure there are some mannerisms that have held true with my footy.
Daly Cherry-Evans
The veteran’s tactical self-assessment, with Cherry-Evans stating he transitioned from being an instinctive youngster to a seasoned halfback. For a long time I was a five-eighth wearing a number seven, and right now I’m probably a halfback wearing a number six,
Cherry-Evans said.
Chasing Records In The Grand Final Clash Against The Knights
A victory on Sunday will make Cherry-Evans the oldest player in the NRL era to win a grand final, surpassing Cameron Smith’s benchmark set in 2020. He would also become the oldest premiership winner since George Green secured a title with North Sydney in 1922 at 38 years of age.
The playmaker is on track to set a new record for the longest gap between premierships. That milestone currently belongs to retired winger Lote Tuqiri, who won titles with the Brisbane Broncos in 2000 and the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2014—a 14-year span.
Tuqiri Hopes For A Fairytale Ending After The Weekly Grind
Retired winger Lote Tuqiri told nrl.com that he has watched in awe as his fellow Queenslander maintained elite-level performance over an unusually long career. Tuqiri emphasized that the physical toll of weekly training and the grueling seasonal schedule present a far greater challenge than the matches themselves.
The fact he’s done it in that position and done amazingly well is very impressive. I hope he gets it, they should get it, they are the favourites going into the game.
Lote Tuqiri via nrl.com
Tuqiri’s assessment that the Roosters and Sea Eagles have managed the veteran’s workload carefully in his later seasons. When you know how to look after yourself and the body, you don’t have to work as hard because mentally you know what to expect,
Tuqiri told nrl.com regarding the halfback’s longevity.
Hull FC Awaits Following Sunday Decision At Accor Stadium
Sunday’s match carries extra resonance because Cherry-Evans’ final campaign concludes before his upcoming move to Hull FC next season. The venue for the title decider is Accor Stadium in Sydney, where the veteran will conclude a career that includes a Clive Churchill Medal won in the 2013 grand final defeat to the Roosters.
13 years have passed since that 2013 decider, and despite initial friction with opposing fans during past clashes, the playmaker has earned appreciation from supporters across the game during his farewell run. Cherry-Evans acknowledged that spending years without reaching the finals fostered a deep gratitude for his final shot at premiership glory.