Keary: The asset that DCE shares with Cronk

Having worked with Daly Cherry-Evans throughout the pre-season as an assistant coach at the Roosters, three-time NRL premiership winner Luke Keary has noticed one shared quality between the two former Queensland halfbacks.

After Cherry-Evans’ signing to the Tricolours was made official in November, there have been many comparisons made between his move and Cronk’s move to the Roosters back in 2018.

With Keary having played with Cronk during the 2018 and 2019 seasons which saw the club win back-to-back premierships, the panellist on Channel 7’s Agenda Setters: Rugby League believes that the former Manly captain can have a similar impact on the Roosters that Cronk had due to the experience they provided to the side.

“Whilst they are not similar players, there is a lot of similar traits,” Keary said on SENQ Breakfast.

“His (DCE) biggest asset to the Roosters and that team is not going to be him running around and setting up 20-30 tries and making line breaks.

“He’s bringing experience and temperament to that team, which is what they need.

“And that was Cooper’s biggest asset. Cooper didn’t set the world on fire with his stats.

“But we can all look beside us, and you felt really comfortable when he was there.

“He knew what to say in the right moments, he knew what play to come up with in the big moments.

“And that’s what Chez will get judged on at the end of the year. Did he get them through those big games, which we haven’t been able to win as a club in the last four, five years.

“But I think that is his biggest asset. He’s (played) 350 odd games, he’s (a) Queensland captain. Australian captain.

“He’s going to bring to that club what Cooper brought in the experience and temperament…and guide those younger boys through some big moments in 2026.”

The Roosters will travel to Auckland to face the Warriors to begin their season in 2026. They’ll play on March 6 at Go Media Stadium.

SEN League will have live coverage of the match available through SEN’s radio network and app from 5pm AEDT.