Former Roosters star Luke Keary says Daly Cherry-Evans has hit the ground running at his new club as the former Sea Eagle is out to emulate the deeds of another legendary half in Cooper Cronk.
Cherry-Evans, 36, has joined the Roosters to finish his career, like Cronk did when he linked up with the Tricolours in 2018 as a 34-year-old.
Cronk would then lead the Roosters to two premierships in his two years at the club (2018, 2019).
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Keary, who is now a coaching assistant at the Roosters, says Cherry-Evans has hit the ground running this off-season in readiness for the 2026 campaign.
“He came in a little bit earlier. Sam’s (Walker) been back and they spent a bit of time together before Christmas,” Keary said on SEN.
He’s going to bring stability and experience. He’s been awesome around the group, everyone likes him (and he) gives you that confidence. This dude’s done it all for a long period of time.
“You look beside you and you know exactly what you’re getting out of him so I’m really looking forward to seeing it.
“I know how it would feel as a player of his age, he’s gonna have a fresh start. I reckon he’s gonna be super excited and he’ll do a good job for them.”
Cherry-Evans probably doesn’t arrive at his new club with the same level of expectations Cronk did eight years prior given the former Sea Eagles’ halfback’s indifferent form in 2025.
However, Keary, who played alongside Cronk in the halves in both 2018 and 2019 grand final victories, says the comparisons between the two Queensland legends will be made regardless.
“He’s going to get (compared to Cronk), I think he knows that,” Keary continued.
“It’s quite obvious, like how Cooper’s come at this stage of his career, where Daly’s come at this stage of his career.
“Everything that happens for them next year, it’s going to be compared to what Cooper did.”
Cherry-Evans is on a two-year deal with the Roosters with a player option in his favour for 2027.
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