The entire rugby league world is in total shock today after Manly Warringah Sea Eagles head coach Kieran Foran reacted in absolute disbelief, heartbreak, and crushing devastation to the explosive, earth‑shattering report released this morning by his former captain, best friend, premiership teammate, and club legend Daly Cherry‑Evans.
Foran, who took over as Manly’s head coach just months ago and has shared an unbreakable bond with Cherry‑Evans for over 15 years — growing up together, winning the 2011 premiership side‑by‑side, captaining the club, and being closer than brothers — was left visibly shaken, pale, and fighting back tears as he spoke publicly moments after the news broke, describing the revelation as “the worst, most painful thing I have ever heard in my life” and admitting he is still struggling to believe it is real.
This morning, Cherry‑Evans — now starring for the Sydney Roosters — released a long, raw, and devastating official statement and report confirming he has finalized his divorce from his wife Vessa, and dropped the bombshell truth that has stunned everyone: his wife had been cheating on him for months, and the man she was sleeping with is none other than a current Sydney Roosters teammate — a player he trusted completely, treated like family, and called his friend. But what has hit Manly and Foran even harder is the full details revealed: that same player was someone Cherry‑Evans originally recommended, encouraged, and helped bring to the club — and someone he had spoken about and praised constantly to Kieran Foran and the Manly group right up until recently.
Foran and Cherry‑Evans are more than just former teammates — they are the heart and soul of modern Manly history, the two faces of the club, and best friends who have been through absolutely everything together. When Cherry‑Evans left Manly after 15 years and 352 games to join the Roosters last November, it was emotional, but they remained incredibly close; Foran was the very last person to try and convince him to stay, and Cherry‑Evans said: “Kieran is my brother, always will be, nothing will ever change that”. Today, that bond has been tested like never before, and Foran is absolutely crushed.
Speaking at a hastily arranged press conference at 4 Pines Park this afternoon, a visibly distressed Kieran Foran could barely find the words, his voice cracking with emotion and pain as he tried to process what his best friend had been through — and the terrible betrayal he suffered.
“I am absolutely shattered. I am in shock. I am heartbroken,” Foran began, pausing to compose himself, his eyes red and filled with tears. “I just read what Daly released… and honestly, I feel sick. I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. I know Daly better than anyone. I know what kind of man he is. I know how loyal he is, how loving he is, how much he valued his family, his marriage, and his life. He spoke about Vessa all the time — always called her his rock, his everything, the reason he does what he does. And to read that she betrayed him like that… and with someone he trusted, someone he played alongside, someone he considered a friend… it is unthinkable. It is cruel. It is the worst thing you can do to a human being. And to think he has been carrying this pain, this heartbreak, this nightmare inside him for months, while he was playing, while he was leading, while he was doing his job… it breaks me completely.”
Foran revealed he had absolutely no idea — not a clue, not a hint, not a single rumour reached him — and said Cherry‑Evans never said a word, never complained, never showed anything but strength and class every time they spoke or met, even when they faced each other on the field earlier this season.
“We spoke every week. We texted, we called, we caught up. He never told me. He never let on. He smiled, he joked, he talked about football, about our kids, about everything… and all this time, he was hurting like this. He was living through this hell. That just shows you the man he is — how tough, how proud, how dignified he is. He didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for him. He didn’t want it to be a distraction. He just kept going, kept performing, kept being the best he could be, while his whole world was falling apart. And that makes it even worse for me — that I didn’t know, that I couldn’t be there for him, that I couldn’t help him or support him when he needed it most.”
The hardest part for Foran — and the detail that has left him absolutely crushed — is the identity of the man involved. He confirmed he knows exactly who the player is, knows him well, has met him, spoken to him, and admitted Cherry‑Evans himself spoke highly of him, trusted him, and even praised his character and loyalty.
“The man he named… I know him. Daly told me so many times how much he trusted him, how much he liked him, how good a person he thought he was. Daly brought him close. He treated him like family. He told me: ‘This guy is solid, he’s loyal, he’s a great bloke’. And to find out that this same person, this teammate, this friend… went behind his back, slept with his wife, destroyed his marriage, broke his heart, and betrayed every single bit of trust and loyalty… I am disgusted. I am angry. I am hurt. It is shameful. It is unforgivable. There is no excuse. There is no defence. What they did is wrong, cruel, and completely against everything this game stands for, everything we believe in, everything Daly Cherry‑Evans represents.”
Foran said he feels like he has been betrayed too — by association, by the trust they all placed in this person — and said it has left him questioning everything.
“Daly is the best man I know. He is loyal, honest, kind, and he gives everything to the people he loves. He loved that woman for 15 years. He loved his family more than anything. He loved his friends and teammates. And this is how they repaid him? They threw it all away. They threw his heart away like it meant nothing. I feel sick for him. I feel angry for him. I want to fight for him. I want to stand by him. And I promise you this: Kieran Foran stands 100% with Daly Cherry‑Evans, now and forever. He is my brother. He is my hero. Nothing — absolutely nothing — will ever change how much I respect and love him.”
Foran confirmed he has already spoken to Cherry‑Evans privately, sent him a message of love, support, and total loyalty, and said he will be there for him every step of the way — no matter what.
“I told him: ‘I am here. I am with you. I believe you. I love you. And we will get through this together.’ He doesn’t deserve any of this. He deserves nothing but love, loyalty, and happiness. And I promise everyone: Daly Cherry‑Evans has done nothing wrong. He loved them. He trusted them. He was loyal every single day. He is the victim here. And anyone who knows him knows that is the truth.”
The news has devastated the entire Manly club, the Sea Eagles family, and the whole rugby league community. Fans are heartbroken, angry, and rallying around Cherry‑Evans in huge numbers, while Foran says the club is completely behind him, calling him “the greatest man and player to ever wear our jersey” and promising his legacy will never be tarnished — only made stronger by the courage and dignity he has shown.
For Kieran Foran, this is the hardest, most painful day of his life. He lost his best friend’s happiness, he saw his brother’s heart broken, and he learned a terrible lesson about trust and loyalty. But through it all, he stands tall, stands proud, and stands right beside Daly Cherry‑Evans.
“To Daly: You are the strongest man I know. You have been through everything, and you still stand tall, still hold your head high, still show class and grace that no one else has. I am so proud to call you my friend, my teammate, and my brother. This is the darkest moment, but it will pass. You will rise. You will be stronger. And we will always, always be there for you. You did nothing wrong. You are everything right.”
This bombshell changes everything. But one thing is clear: Daly Cherry‑Evans is loved, respected, and supported more than ever — and Kieran Foran and the whole Manly family will stand by him, forever.
