The post DCE era begins in Manly in 2026 and while the Sea Eagles know what to expect from Jamal Fogarty, they need five-eighth Luke Brooks to step up in 2026.
Perhaps Cherry-Evans’ presence in the team prevented Brooks from demanding the ball and taking games by the scruff od the neck, but he is now the senior playmaker in the side.
The 30-year-old has played 255 games in the NRL and is no longer the young star learning his trade and he needs to take his game to greater heights at Manly for them to compete.
At 32, Fogarty has played 118 games and can be the chief playmaker Manly need him to be and control the kicking game.
But if Brooks can offer something different and unlock his running game, while creating more opportunities for himself and his teammates, the Sea Eagles can not only replace DCE by committee, but potentially even improve their attack.
Cherry-Evans was the focal point of Manly for the best part of two decades, but if Brooks and Fogarty can combine with Tom Trbojevic in the spine, it could make the Sea Eagles less predictable and far more dangerous.
Manly have enforcers in their pack and speed to burn out wide, but they need one of their playmakers to offer something different and challenge the line, to keep the defence in two minds and unlock their strike players and Brooks has it in him to be that man.
