Young Player Joey Walsh Shows Promise as Manly Sea Eagles Prepare for Life After Daly Cherry-Evans

Manly Sea Eagles are starting a new time without their captain Daly Cherry-Evans. Young player Joey Walsh showed he can play well in a recent game. The team is getting ready for the future.
By Newsroom | Rugby League, Australia |

The stakes are clear: as the Manly Sea Eagles prepare to close a significant chapter with the farewell of their long-serving captain, Daly Cherry-Evans, the club's future leadership in the crucial halfback position is under intense scrutiny. The emergence of a young talent, Joey Walsh, as a potential successor creates a dynamic tension between immediate performance needs and the strategic development of new talent. The club faces the delicate task of integrating this promising player into the NRL landscape without undue pressure, while also managing the ongoing search for a seasoned replacement.

Context and Timeline

The Manly Sea Eagles are navigating a pivotal transition period. The departure of Daly Cherry-Evans marks the end of an era, as he is set to play his final game for the club. This event is slated for a game against the New Zealand Warriors.

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  • March 2025: Coach Anthony Seibold indicated that Joey Walsh, a promising young talent, was "a couple of years away" from being ready for consistent NRL play. This statement was made in the context of Cherry-Evans rejecting a contract extension and his future at Manly being uncertain. At this time, Walsh had scored a hat-trick in his first under-21s game.

  • September 2, 2025: Joey Walsh, then 19 years old, was named to make his NRL debut off the bench for Manly against the New Zealand Warriors. This game was highlighted as Cherry-Evans’ farewell match. Walsh was signed with the express intention of being the long-term successor to Cherry-Evans. He had previously expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn from experienced Manly halves.

  • September 3, 2025: Reports surfaced that Walsh was being "hyped" as the player set to take over the mantle from Cherry-Evans. This coincided with Cherry-Evans’ final game for the club.

  • September 5, 2025: Daly Cherry-Evans played his final game for Manly, a match against the New Zealand Warriors.

  • Around 5 hours ago (from article publication): In a pre-season challenge match, the Manly Sea Eagles played the New Zealand Warriors. Joey Walsh featured prominently in this game, with reports suggesting a "starring display" in a 33-18 victory. His performance included key plays that contributed to tries.

During this period, other players also made club debuts or were in consideration for first-grade roles. Morgan Gannon and Haizyn Mellars were noted as debuting for the Warriors. Blake Wilson was also making his club debut for Manly. The club also had the 17-year-old five-eighth Onitoni Large in their development system.

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‘Looks promising’ — DCE heir shines as Manly’s young halves dominate Warriors - 1

It is noteworthy that Daly Cherry-Evans holds significant club records, including the most games at halfback for any player at one club and numerous NRL-era records for field goals and golden-point winners. The club also has Jamal Fogarty slated to play at No. 7 in the following year.

Emerging Talent and Development Strategy

The narrative surrounding Joey Walsh suggests a deliberate strategy by the Manly Sea Eagles coaching staff to carefully integrate him into the NRL. Coach Anthony Seibold has consistently voiced a measured approach, stating that Walsh was "a couple of years away" from full readiness, even after the teenager impressed with a hat-trick in an under-21s match. This stance indicates a desire to avoid rushing his development.

‘Looks promising’ — DCE heir shines as Manly’s young halves dominate Warriors - 2

  • Despite Walsh being signed as the long-term heir to Cherry-Evans, the club emphasized a "long game" approach to his development.

  • This strategy involves allowing him to learn from experienced players, a sentiment Walsh himself has acknowledged, describing the opportunity as "unreal."

  • The club's priority appears to be ensuring Walsh matures sufficiently before becoming the primary playmaker, acknowledging the immense pressure associated with replacing a club legend like Cherry-Evans.

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The contrast between Walsh's promising performances in lower grades and the club's public statements about his readiness highlights the nuance of player development in professional sports.

Daly Cherry-Evans' Legacy and Future Implications

The departure of Daly Cherry-Evans signifies more than just a change in personnel; it represents the conclusion of a substantial era for the Manly Sea Eagles. His tenure has been marked by numerous club and NRL records, solidifying his status as one of the game's elite playmakers.

‘Looks promising’ — DCE heir shines as Manly’s young halves dominate Warriors - 3

  • Cherry-Evans holds the record for the most games played at halfback for a single club.

  • His record of 28 field goals and seven golden-point winners are also notable achievements within the NRL era.

  • His exit leaves a significant void, not just in terms of on-field performance but also leadership.

The club acknowledges the scale of this transition, with statements suggesting they are "well prepared" to manage life without Cherry-Evans. However, the question of who will definitively fill his role long-term, beyond Walsh's developmental path and the upcoming arrival of Jamal Fogarty, remains a subject of discussion. The points-differential situation noted in one report also suggests that the team's overall performance, separate from individual playmakers, could impact their season's outcome.

Performance in Pre-Season and Emerging Talent

A recent pre-season challenge match against the New Zealand Warriors provided an early glimpse of the potential for Manly's younger players. The Sea Eagles secured a decisive 33-18 victory, with Joey Walsh highlighted as a standout performer.

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‘Looks promising’ — DCE heir shines as Manly’s young halves dominate Warriors - 4

  • Joey Walsh was credited with a "starring display," contributing significantly to the team's dominance.

  • His performance included effective playmaking, such as a "brilliant cut-out" pass and setting up a try before halftime. He also utilized his kicking game effectively to create scoring opportunities.

  • The match also saw other players making their debuts for both teams, including Morgan Gannon and Haizyn Mellars for the Warriors, and Blake Wilson for Manly.

The impact of Walsh's performance in this fixture is interpreted as a positive indicator for his future potential, reinforcing the idea that he is a player with significant promise. The overall team victory further suggests a capable supporting cast around these emerging talents.

Expert Analysis and Coaching Perspective

Coach Anthony Seibold has consistently managed expectations regarding the integration of young talent like Joey Walsh. His public comments suggest a deliberate approach to player development, prioritizing long-term readiness over immediate pressure.

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"He’s a couple of years away… I think he probably could, but only he can answer that." - Anthony Seibold, regarding Joey Walsh's readiness.

This perspective frames Walsh's development as a gradual process. Seibold has also alluded to the uncertainty surrounding Daly Cherry-Evans's future earlier in the year, noting that Cherry-Evans himself might have been unsure about playing on, and that no immediate handshake deal with a rival club was apparent.

The coach's statements reveal a dual focus:

  • Nurturing developing players like Walsh and Onitoni Large without rushing them.

  • Managing the complexities of a legendary player's departure, emphasizing that team preparations are on track.

The club maintains that it is prepared for the significant transition ahead, despite Cherry-Evans playing more games at the No. 7 position than any other player at one club. The acquisition of Jamal Fogarty for the following year also signals a concrete step in addressing the halfback role.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The Manly Sea Eagles are at a critical juncture, marked by the departure of club icon Daly Cherry-Evans and the emergence of Joey Walsh as a highly anticipated successor. Walsh's recent performance in a pre-season game against the Warriors has been lauded as a "starring display," reinforcing his status as a promising talent with the potential to carry the team's playmaking duties.

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  • Player Development: The club's strategy, articulated by coach Anthony Seibold, emphasizes a measured approach to Walsh's development, suggesting he is not yet ready for the full demands of the NRL, despite his talent. This approach aims to build a sustainable future for the team.

  • Transition Management: The farewell of Cherry-Evans signifies the end of a significant chapter. The club asserts preparedness for this transition, with the recruitment of Jamal Fogarty for the subsequent year indicating a clear plan to fill the No. 7 jersey.

  • Team Performance: While individual talent like Walsh's is crucial, the team's overall performance and points-differential are also noted as factors that could influence their success, independent of specific player roles.

The immediate focus will likely remain on integrating Walsh further into the squad while ensuring the team remains competitive. The long-term implications of Cherry-Evans's departure will be a key narrative for the club in the seasons to come, with Walsh positioned as a central figure in their future aspirations.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Joey Walsh?
Joey Walsh is a young player for the Manly Sea Eagles. He is seen as a future leader for the team.
Q: Why is Daly Cherry-Evans leaving?
Daly Cherry-Evans is finishing his time with the Manly Sea Eagles after many years. He played his last game for the club.
Q: How did Joey Walsh play recently?
Joey Walsh played very well in a recent game against the New Zealand Warriors. He showed good skills and helped his team win.
Q: Is Joey Walsh ready to be the main player?
The coach says Joey Walsh needs more time to get ready for the main role. They want him to learn and grow without too much pressure.