Roosters make call on Sandon Smith’s future at NRL club amid Daly Cherry-Evans pursuit

Roosters coach Trent Robinson insists Sandon Smith’s future at the club is safe, despite admitting they would have to “look at” the potential signing of Daly Cherry-Evans. The Roosters have emerged as favourites for the signature of the Manly captain, who has made it clear this season will be his last with the Sea Eagles. The Dolphins have been named as the other club most likely to land DCE, in a move that would offer him a return home to the Redcliffe club he played for as a kid.

If the Roosters were to land Cherry-Evans, many believe a halves partnership with Sam Walker – who is currently recovering from an ACL injury – would turn the Chooks into premiership contenders. But it would also raise serious questions around the future of young playmaker Smith, who has endured a mixed start to the season after stepping into the No.6 role.

Smith was earmarked by the club as Luke Keary’s halves successor for 2025 after becoming the first player to graduate from the Roosters’ Central Coast pathways and play in the NRL. But Smith and veteran halves partner Chad Townsend have failed to get the 15th-placed Roosters firing consistently this season, despite flashes of brilliance such as the round two upset of defending premiers Penrith.

In last week’s round four loss to the Titans, Smith was too slow to get to marker before Gold Coast’s first try and he also threw the intercept pass for Jayden Campbell to score a crucial go-ahead try in the second half. But Robinson insists his side still have complete confidence in the playmaker, who is still just 22 and is set to start in the halves for just the 16th time in Friday night’s grudge match against South Sydney.

“There’s 30, 40, 50 minutes of really good periods and that’s really natural, with the amount of time he’s spent in the NRL at the moment,” Robinson said about Smith. “There’s some really good signs that we like. We’re just going to keep forging forward and keep backing him to develop his game.”

Roosters keen on Sandon Smith despite DCE links

When asked about the potential signing of Cherry-Evans for next season though, and what it could mean for Smith, the Roosters coach was adamant the 22-year-old was part of the club’s long-term plans. “It’s been pretty clear, our future with Sandon, and the conversations we’ve had with him over the years,” Robinson said. “He’s our starting six and we’re going to keep developing him.”

The question marks around Smith and Townsend’s halves combination come after the Roosters enjoyed 16 more play-the-balls in the red zone than the Titans last week, but scored three fewer tries. That points to an inability to capitalise on good field position and turn it into points and the bulk of that responsibility and expectation naturally falls onto the playmakers.

Robinson says he takes solace from the fact his men are creating plenty of attacking opportunities and is confident that with more time together and games under their belt, that things will click between Smith and Townsend. “Continuing to create the opportunities is key,” the three-time premiership-winning coach said. “It’s not a big change, just belief in the connection between those two guys and taking the opportunities that are in front of them.”

Smith began his Roosters career as back-up to Keary, and often featured as a bench utility or in the event of injuries until he was handed the No.6 jersey this season. And while DCE’s potentially signing could push Smith back to an interchange role again, the lessons he could learn from one of game’s best and most experiences halfback’s would be invaluable for the Roosters young gun.