No backflip declares angry Cherry-Evans

An angry Daly Cherry-Evans has quashed speculation that he may pull out of his agreement to join the Gold Coast from 2016 and slammed some media coverage as intrusive.

Reports emerged last Thursday that Cherry-Evans was having second thoughts about leaving Manly and could backflip on his move back to Queensland before the NRL’s round 13 cooling off period expires.

Cherry-Evans reluctantly addressed the media at the Sea Eagles’ training ground on Monday but refused to take questions, opting instead to make a brief statement before walking out of the room.

“To put everything to bed, there has been no changes to my current contract situation,” Cherry-Evans said.

“I went through that process seven weeks ago and there is absolutely nothing to report and from what I can see there will be nothing to report.”

“I understand speculation will continue until round 13 but from my end there is nothing to report and I don’t think there will be anything to report until the end of the season in regards to changes to my contract.”

Cherry-Evans played in last-placed Manly’s loss to Canterbury on Friday night and 24 later was door-stopped by a TV camera crew outside his home and quizzed on the speculation about a possible backflip on the Titans.

“The way I was treated over the weekend by some media outlets was extremely disappointing,” he said.

“I understand as a professional athlete the media have a right to me. But I don’t believe they don’t have a right to my family’s privacy and the way they were treated over the weekend was extremely disappointing.

“I hope this puts this to bed and we move on.”

The loss of Cherry-Evans for Manly was compounded by Kieran Foran’s decision to also depart for Parramatta in 2016.

The Kiwi five-eighth said the decision was the hardest he’s ever had to make but said on Monday there was no chance that he’d go back on his word to Eels coach Brad Arthur.

“I’ve been at Manly since I was 16 and I’ve really found a home here so it was a big decision,” Foran said.

“That (round 13) clause was discussed with Parra when I did my deal and we were all aware of it but I am comfortable with the decision I have made.

“I can’t comment for Daly that’s his personal stuff … but there has been a lot of speculation on our futures but I just want to concentrate on this year.”

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