Manly coach Anthony Seibold has ruled out replacing Daly Cherry-Evans with teenager Joey Walsh in 2026, while confirming Tom Trbojevic in the halves is a legitimate option.

Speaking for the first time since Cherry-Evans rejected an extension at Manly, Seibold on Saturday would not comment on the Sea Eagles' or his halfback's handling of the matter.

The Manly coach insisted he had been aware of Cherry-Evans' plan to make 2025 his last at Brookvale since December, and was "at peace" with the decision.

Seibold said he believed Cherry-Evans was unsure if he would play on next season and did not think a handshake deal had been done with a rival such as the Sydney Roosters.

Regardless, Seibold faces one of the toughest transitions at Brookvale with Cherry-Evans having played more games at No.7 than any player at any one club.

Manly rate 18-year-old Walsh and his kicking game highly, after bringing the halfback across from rugby union at the start of the pre-season.

He scored a hat-trick in his first game of under-21s earlier this month, but Seibold said he would not rush Walkh or 17-year-old five-eighth Onitoni Large through.

"I have only seen a small fraction of Joey. He's a couple of years away," Seibold said.

"His first game of rugby league in three and a bit years he played very well against the Warriors in Jersey Flegg.

"He and Onitoni Large are very good young players, but they are very young. It will be a couple of years before we see them in the top grade."

Seibold has raved about the performances of his current five-eighth Luke Brooks, who could be partnered by Jamal Fogarty next year if Canberra allow him to become a free agent.

Otherwise, Seibold confirmed Trbojevic was a genuine option to move to No.6 and partner Brooks in the halves, allowing Lehi Hopoate to take the fullback job.

"We were hoping Chez might reconsider his decision from December," Seibold said.

"But in the background we've got a couple of things we've planned and now it's about going out and executing the right plan.

"That (Trbojevic five-eighth shift) would be one of them."

Seibold did not want to delve into the way the Cherry-Evans affair had played out this week, pointing to "misinformation" swirling around after it resembled reality TV drama on Monday night.

But the Manly coach was adamant it had not derailed his team's preparations for Manly's clash with Parramatta on Sunday and their season was still on track.

He also maintained Cherry-Evans had the right to let the situation drag on as long as needed, before deciding if he did want to play elsewhere in 2026.

"I feel Chez is very genuine with regards to him not knowing what he wants to do next," Seibold said.

"What he's allowed the club to do is for us to action what is next for us.

"One of the things you want for your players is for them to make the best decision for them and their families and their future.

"There are so many opinions, but at the end of the day Chez needs to make the right decision.

"Does he want to play on? Next birthday he's 37. Could he play on? I think he probably could, but only he can answer that."