South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett rules out making a move for Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans

Wayne Bennett has ruled out the South Sydney Rabbitohs pursuing Daly Cherry-Evans and has called for a player transfer window to prevent such events from having a "self-destructive" impact on the National Rugby League (NRL) season. Bennett believes that the current player transfer mechanism is detrimental to the entire league.

Previously, several clubs, including the Rabbitohs, had been linked to Cherry-Evans, who is about to become a free agent. However, Bennett made it clear on Wednesday that the Rabbitohs would not be involved in the pursuit of the Manly Sea Eagles' star halfback. He explained that the Rabbitohs' salary cap could not accommodate Cherry-Evans, and the club is in negotiations to re-sign experienced five-eighth Cody Walker.

Before the Rabbitohs made their disinterest clear, the St. George Illawarra Dragons also stated on Wednesday that they would not pursue Cherry-Evans. It is understood that the Dolphins are interested in the 36-year-old, and if Cherry-Evans wants to stay in Sydney, the Sydney Roosters and Canterbury Bulldogs could also be potential options. The Manly Sea Eagles are making every effort to retain Cherry-Evans, offering a two-year contract worth A$1.4 million. Previously, the club's most capped player stated that 2025 would be his last season at Brookvale.

However, Cherry-Evans may need to change his mind, as he stated on national television earlier this week that he would not accept the Manly Sea Eagles' offer. Bennett predicted on Thursday that several clubs would adjust their lineups in an attempt to sign Cherry-Evans, but he emphasized that the South Sydney Rabbitohs would not be involved. Bennett stated bluntly: "We don't have enough salary cap space."

Bennett has long been an advocate for a player transfer window, noting that such a mechanism has been successful in the Australian Football League (AFL) and other overseas sports programs. He strongly criticized the current transfer system: "It's no good for the game, it's no good for the clubs. It's wrong, and I wish we'd fix it." He added: "You don't see that in Aussie Rules, they are our main competitor. We've pushed the self-destruct button four weeks into the football season, and the season has presented some great games already. Now, all the focus is on what a few players or clubs are doing. It shouldn't happen, it shouldn't be allowed to happen."