Thaiday almost envies DCE’s contract saga

The way off-contract Brisbane larrikin Sam Thaiday sees it, Daly Cherry-Evans is in an enviable position as the deadline looms on his NRL future.

“He’s got two contracts at the moment. I am still trying to get one,” the back-rower laughed.

Manly superstar Cherry-Evans will end months of speculation when he decides next week whether to remain with Manly or honour a four-year Gold Coast deal.

Thaiday is sweating on his own deal but could still see the funny side of his Queensland teammate Cherry-Evans’ prickly predicament.

While he admitted his management were still working on an extension, Thaiday joked that he could grab the contract discarded by Cherry-Evans next week.

“I would love to have half his money – he’s rich,” Thaiday smiled.

In a dig at media reports Cherry-Evans had already bought a $1.5 million property on the Gold Coast, Thaiday added: “He’s going to start up a real estate agency, I think.

“He will sell coastal properties down on the Gold Coast.”

Thaiday said they were preparing for Cherry-Evans to overcome a shoulder complaint and run out in Brisbane’s Friday night clash with Manly.

But he admitted he had no idea what else to expect from the Sea Eagles at Suncorp Stadium.

Thaiday said Manly had clearly been distracted by the media frenzy swirling around Cherry-Evans for months.

Cherry-Evans signed his lucrative Titans deal in March.

However under NRL rules, the halfback had until after round 13 – which concludes on Monday night – to decide whether to link with the Titans or stay at Manly.

Just as speculation had died down, Cherry-Evans’ Queensland teammate and friend Nate Myles’ recent announcement he would link with Manly next year sparked a fresh round of rumours.

“It is a little weird seeing them on the bottom of the table,” Thaiday said of Manly.

“When the Sea Eagles play a tough team they seem to put their hand up and have a dig for one another.

“(But) who knows what they are going to bring up here.”

In contrast to Manly, the Broncos are cruising at second on the NRL ladder.

Thaiday said they were daring to dream of ending a nine-year premiership drought.

“We have put ourselves in a fantastic position,” he said.

“We do have enough talent here to do something in the comp if we want.

“It’s all about belief.

“If we can string some more wins together I am sure we will be a huge threat at the end of the year.”

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