Comment: Daly Cherry-Evans re-signs with Manly

I can appreciate that Daly Cherry-Evans wanted to provide his family with the best possible set-up after football, but the way he has gone about it is nothing short of abysmal.

In Tuesday's press-conference, he spoke about how he was 'playing within the rules' by reneging on his contract with the Gold Coast Titans to re-sign with Manly on a lifetime deal.

This is true.

Objectively he hasn't done anything wrong with regard to the rules set out by the NRL.

But as someone who made a commitment, agreed to terms and gave his word; his actions in the eyes of many supporters and commentators have tarnished his reputation irrevocably.

When Daly Cherry-Evans debuted against the Melbourne Storm in Round 1 of the 2011 NRL season, few would have imagined the rise the Manly halfback would enjoy over the next four years.

A premiership in his rookie year. Representing the Kangaroos. Playing a part in Queensland's historic Origin streak. Clive Churchill Medal winner.

All of this in little more than 100 first grade games.

Unfortunately now for Cherry-Evans, all the hard work he has put in to establish himself as one of the most talented players in the games will be pushed to the side in place of the debacle he has left over the past six months.

Daly Cherry-Evans may well go on to captain the Sea Eagles to any number of premierships over the remaining years of his career.

However he will never be held in the same esteem as those who have come before him.

Names such as Menzies, Lyons, Eadie, Krillich. Whether you loved or hated them, they were respected for the way they conducted themselves on and off the field.

For all the match-winning tries he sets up, golden point field goals he nails or premierships he delivers; from now on there will be a black mark against his name for the way he has gone about providing Manly supporters with all those moments.

Now to put the blame entirely on Cherry-Evans would be unfair, as I've said he hasn't broken any laws and his greatest crime is exploiting a loophole that the NRL themselves have been forced to change in order to prevent similar cases from occurring in the future.

While the Manly club and the NRL themselves have a certain degree of accountability in allowing this situation to reach the point it has, Cherry-Evans has essentially put himself on the market to be bought by the highest bidder, leading many to question his character.

There will be many who debate whether he ever intended on fulfilling his contract with the Titans, rather using them as a bargaining chip to force the Sea Eagles hand.

In today's press conference he stated that up until two days prior he intended on being at the Gold Coast for the next four years.

For someone who also said he calculated his move to the Titans extensively, it's a bit hard to fathom how in the space of 48 hours that decision could be disregarded.

Once again, I don't begrudge Daly Cherry-Evans for wanting to get the best deal for his family and himself.

I just wish he went about it without causing so much damage for everyone involved.