Sydney Roosters are all but certain to land Daly Cherry-Evans’ signature next season for a two-year swansong alongside Sam Walker.

But his arrival from Manly appears certain to force young playmaker Sandon Smith out of Bondi Junction after his breakthrough season in the halves. 

Smith has been one of the Roosters’ best performers, initially alongside fading veteran Chad Townsend and then rookie half Hugo Savala.

He was instrumental in their 42-16 bash-up of the Sharks on Saturday night in Gosford even though the Roosters were without five Origin stars.

Smith is contracted to the Tricolours until the end of next year but is expected to seek an early release if DCE is added to the roster.

The Roosters need to clear salary cap space and have already offloaded Brandon Smith to Souths mid-season and winger Dominic Young could be following him out the door with Newcastle keen to get him back immediately.

With young Tigers five-eighth Lachie Galvin on the move to Canterbury, there is uncertainty over a few teams in the halves with Parramatta on the lookout for a new option after missing out on Galvin.

Bulldogs halfback Toby Sexton is off contract at season’s end and could also be on the lookout for a new club if coach Cameron Ciraldo partners Galvin with Matt Burton as their chief playmakers.

There have been reports that Galvin could be used at lock although that would be a gamble by Ciraldo given the teenager has not played in the forwards at NRL level.

Cherry-Evans has remained tightlipped about where he will end up next year but has confirmed he has met with the Roosters and Dolphins over joining them after playing out his final season at Manly.

Sandon Smith. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“I made it clear at the start I wasn’t going to waste anyone’s time with this process. The Roosters are someone I have spoken to, but nothing has been done yet,” he said last week in Maroons camp.

“The Dolphins are one of the sides I have spoken to but again nothing has happened.

“I understand people will want to speculate but ultimately that’s on them. I have been really clear on my wording around it because I have been really purposeful on it from the get-go.

“We live in a world of now. News is now. Social media is now. Sometimes it is nice to make sure you are doing the right thing and take the time to make those decisions.”

Manly have snared Raiders veteran Jamal Fogarty to replace DCE with Canberra banking on emerging duo Ethan Strange and Ethan Sanders to be their long-term halves duo.

Blues relying on 31-year first 

NSW believe winning experience can help them conquer Suncorp Stadium again, armed with their fewest number of debutants for a State of Origin opener in 31 years.

The Blues eased into their Brisbane base on Monday morning, ready to embrace the warmer and dryer weather ahead of game one on Wednesday night.

Queensland will still enter Suncorp Stadium as the most experienced side, thanks largely to veterans Daly Cherry-Evans, Cameron Munster and Valentine Holmes.

But while three players alone account for more than a third of the Maroons’ 160 games, it is a distinct lack of inexperience the Blues will bank on.

Max King’s selection as the sole debutant makes this year’s series the first time the Blues have entered with only one untried rookie since David Barnhill in 1994.

Max King. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

NSW have also only made four changes from the side that won last year’s decider in Brisbane, a far cry from the 10 that Michael Maguire opted for at the start of 2024.

“It just helps, particularly going up to Suncorp for the first game,” captain Isaah Yeo said. “It helps that you’ve been there and experienced it. It’s the most wonderful stadium to play in, particularly for Origin because it’s so loud. 

“And when you’ve had success as a group that helps for later series. Off the back of last year’s result, we have most the boys back. But now we’ve got to go and action it as well.”

Also playing into the Blues’ hands is a desire to embrace Suncorp, rather than be intimidated by it.

Of NSW’s 17 players, only King and Hudson Young have not won at Suncorp Stadium before.

The Blues’ core group tasted success there in 2021 and in last year’s decider, while NSW also remain undefeated in Perth where they will play Origin II.

“I probably never found Suncorp intimidating, I just thrived on it,” Blues second-rower and pantomime villain Liam Martin said.

“That hostile environment, it’s incredible. There is nothing like it, and when you run out to 50,000 people booing, it’s pretty special.

“When I ran out for my debut in Origin it was in Townsville and there were about 20 NSW fans there. It was nuts.

“That was my introduction to Origin. As soon as I ran on the field I was like ‘I love this’. I never thought about shying away from it.”

with AAP