‘I don’t think he’s alone in that speculation’: Trent Robinson addresses DCE contract rumours as potential loan deal gets shot down

Roosters coach Trent Robinson insists there’s been no progress between the club and Daly Cherry-Evans’ management about where he might play in 2026, while he also weighed in on what could happen to young half Hugo Savala if the Sea Eagles veteran does join the glamour club.

Cherry-Evans has been strongly linked with the Roosters since he dropped a bombshell that he’d leave Manly at the end of the season, but nothing has been made official in the weeks since, with the skipper’s form dropping off.

He would form a potent halves pairing alongside Sam Walker, with skipper James Tedesco roving at fullback and new recruit Reece Robson to play hooker when he joins from the Cowboys next season.

The Roosters have freed up some cash with Brandon Smith to join the Rabbitohs effective immediately, while Dom Young was reportedly off to the Knights before that move fell apart.

“I said six weeks ago that we were interested,” Robinson said.

“We haven’t had any discussions since then with management, and that’s still the case.

“The freeing up (of salary cap space) is about building the best squad we can possibly build. We’re in negotiations with three of our guys that are already under contracts – some of the younger guys – so it’s always a mix of both.

“We’ve recruited Reece from outside for next year, and there is an interest there (for Cherry-Evans).

“I think we’ve been really clear on what we’ve been trying to do this year.

“Everyone expected us to make some big move last year, but we’ve played a lot of these (younger) guys and we’ve got 29/30 out of our full squad that have come through our system. That’s as much as any team in the competition, and that’ll continue.”

Smith spoke last week and said the Maroons halfback was essentially a done deal at the Roosters, but Robinson insisted that wasn’t the case.

“I don’t think he’s alone in that speculation. I think a lot of people have said that,” he said, with Smith also urging the Roosters to spend his money on upgrades for young forwards Blake Steep and Naufahu Whyte.

“I said that we were interested, but we haven’t got to the point where we’ve sat down and had a conversation with his management.

“We’ll get to it in due course whether it can be worked out.”

With Cherry-Evans tipped to sign for 2026 and possibly 2027, towering halfback Hugo Savala suddenly becomes the odd man out, which prompted his manager to ponder whether the club could loan him for a season to continue his development.

“I’ve heard speculation about that, but the manager hasn’t approached us directly about anything like that,” Robinson said, keen to keep the local junior at the club.

“We’ve really loved watching Hugo do his bit this year. He’s definitely a Rooster through and through, and his future is here.”