Manly Sea Eagles Face Double Blow: Cherry-Evans Departs, Mestrov Resigns
Manly Sea Eagles have faced a double blow with the departure of captain Daly Cherry-Evans and the resignation of chief executive Tony Mestrov. The club now looks to fill two crucial vacancies following a turbulent season.
Cherry-Evans, who has been with Manly since 2011, is set to join the Sydney Roosters. His exit leaves a significant void in the Sea Eagles' roster and leadership group. The decision comes after failed contract negotiations, with tensions between the playing group and management escalating when Cherry-Evans publicly rejected an extension offer.
Manly's season was marked by inconsistency and internal divisions. They finished 10th on the ladder, narrowly missing the finals, and struggled with costly losses against lower-ranked teams. The club must now manage the transition to a new halfback combination following Cherry-Evans' departure.
Tony Mestrov, who has been with the club for over a decade, stepped down as chief executive over the weekend. His departure was finalised after discussions about the club's strategic direction. Mestrov's relationship with key football department staff and the board had deteriorated over the past six months. Manly will begin searching for a new chief executive immediately, with an interim replacement expected in the coming weeks. As of now, no candidates have been publicly confirmed for the new CEO position.
Manly Sea Eagles face a challenging off-season with two key positions to fill. They must find a new leader to replace Tony Mestrov and rebuild their halves combination following Daly Cherry-Evans' departure. The club will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing season and return to finals contention in 2023.
