Cherry-Evans in the clear with mega-deal

MANLY’S $10 million man Daly Cherry-Evans isn’t caught up in the club’s thirdparty salary cap drama, according to sources close to the star halfback. The Sea Eagles’ preparations for 2018 copped a hit yesterday afternoon when the NRL issued a breach notice after concluding its investigation into cap issues at the Northern Beaches club.

The notice concerns preliminary findings of potential breaches of the salary cap over the past five years.

It’s believed the Sea Eagles are in breach by up to $400,000 in third-party payments which, as part of their punishment, the NRL will put on to next year’s salary cap.

News Corp has been told Cherry-Evans, who signed an eight-year deal with the Sea Eagles in 2015, is not part of any wrongdoing. He signed a deal with the Gold Coast in 2015 but performed a dramatic backflip weeks later to remain at Manly.

It’s understood the NRL has repeatedly checked and cleared the halfback’s contract with the Sea Eagles.

Manly have signed about 40 players over the five seasons, opening the door for multiple third-party deals.

Cherry-Evans, the Manly captain, was prepared to move to the five-eighth role in 2018 to accommodate the potential arrival of Mitchell Pearce.

But the former Sydney Roosters halfback signed with Newcastle. The Sea Eagles vowed to defend themselves against the allegations of salary cap rorting. Two officials, accused of orchestrating the scheme, have been handed show-cause notices and face being deregistered.