In a striking critique of the NRL's handling of player movements, South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has called for the introduction of a transfer window, labeling the current system a "self-destruct button" for the league. His comments come in the wake of Daly Cherry-Evans’ announcement that he would be leaving the Manly Sea Eagles at the end of the 2025 season, marking the end of a 15-year tenure with the club.
Cherry-Evans returned to training with Manly on March 26, 2025, following his public declaration on March 24 that this would be his last season. The halfback's management is yet to respond to a two-year, $1.4 million offer from Manly, which was tabled just days prior. However, Cherry-Evans has made it clear that he intends to reject the offer, having already decided on his future back in December.
The 36-year-old is expected to attract interest from several clubs, including the Dolphins, Sydney Roosters, and Canterbury Bulldogs. Meanwhile, St George Illawarra, Penrith, and Wests Tigers have all ruled out pursuing him, a sentiment echoed by Bennett, who stated, "We don't have money in the salary cap." He emphasized that while clubs might be eager to secure a player of Cherry-Evans’ caliber, South Sydney is not in the running.
Bennett's frustrations extend beyond just Cherry-Evans’ situation. He criticized the NRL's current contracting rules, which allow players to negotiate with rival clubs a year in advance, leading to distractions that can overshadow the actual games. "This does nothing for the game, does nothing for the club, and it’s wrong and I wish we’d fix it," Bennett said. He pointed out that such mid-season chaos does not happen in other sports, particularly Australian rules football, which he cited as a major competitor to rugby league.
As the NRL season progresses, player movements have dominated headlines, particularly with high-profile transfers like Dylan Brown's upcoming $13 million switch to the Newcastle Knights in 2026. Bennett believes that the ongoing saga surrounding Cherry-Evans is detrimental not only to Manly but to the league as a whole, stating, "We’ve hit the self-destruct button four weeks into a football season that’s already provided some great football." He warned that the focus on player movements detracts from the sport's integrity.
Phil Gould, the Canterbury supremo, and Gold Coast coach Des Hasler have also been reluctant to discuss their interest in Cherry-Evans, with Gould noting that any club pursuing the veteran halfback risks being caught in salary-cap limbo until he makes his decision. "He would fit in any club," Gould said on his podcast, describing Cherry-Evans as an elite Origin-class player and one of the best playmakers in the game.
However, the debate over a potential transfer window remains contentious. While Bennett advocates for a structured approach similar to those seen in the AFL and other sports, many in the rugby league community are unsure of how such a system would work. James Hooper, speaking on NRL360, remarked, "I’m buggered if we know what the solution is, because every time we raise it, we end up getting all these different arguments."
Former NRL star Braith Anasta acknowledged the frustrations of fans but emphasized the need to protect players. He pointed out that many athletes face financial insecurity, and the absence of a trade window could endanger their futures. "To not know where you are going to go and to get to a two-week window when you could get injured at the back-end of the season, and then there’s no money on the table," he said. "Unfortunately for the fans and anyone who doesn’t like it, you’ve got to protect the players in some way; there has to be some advantage there for the players."
Gorden Tallis has proposed a longer transfer window, suggesting it could last three to six months, allowing players more time to secure deals. Regardless of the proposed solutions, the current system continues to generate significant interest in the NRL, with discussions about player movements becoming a staple of conversations in pubs and clubs across Australia. As Matty Johns famously stated, "Rugby league is theatre for blokes, and this is all part of the intrigue."
As the season unfolds, the NRL faces the challenge of balancing the excitement of player movements with the need for stability within clubs. Bennett's calls for change highlight a growing frustration among coaches and players alike, as they navigate the complexities of a system that many feel is in dire need of reform.
