Manly players have acknowledged the club must strike for a premiership while Daly Cherry-Evans is still calling the shots, while adamant the halfback could play until beyond age 40.

Cherry-Evans will begin what is potentially his final season in the NRL on Saturday night, when the Sea Eagles host North Queensland at Brookvale.

One of the biggest names in the game for the past 15 years, the Manly captain is off contract at the end of this year and has remained coy on his future.

Now aged 36, Cherry-Evans has played some of his best football over the past two years, finishing in the top five in the 2023 and 2024 Dally M count.

And while Manly players insist the decision is one for Cherry-Evans to make, they are firm believers the only current NRL player born in the 1980s could go on - and on.

"It does seem strange," superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic said.

"He is like someone who could play for another 10 years, the way he trains and plays.

"He'll make that decision and that's ultimately how it will work. But I am very grateful I get to play for him for so long, and hopefully get a few more years."

Trbojevic is also realistic that this year is crucial for Manly while they still have Cherry-Evans in the team.

Blessed with some of the best attacking threats in the game, Manly made last year's semi-finals and have finished in the top four once in the past decade.

"No one is getting any younger," Trbojevic said.

"I feel like we're in a really good spot now. It's a really important year for us and we want to keep going forward."

The Sea Eagles have won a premiership in every decade since the 1970s, but most recently lifted the trophy in Cherry-Evans' rookie year of 2011.

They have signed a core of players long term, but know their best chance to win soon is in the Cherry-Evans era.

"It's definitely no secret we've got one of the best captains and leaders in the game, and that increases our opportunity to win a premiership," winger Jason Saab said.

"Along with Jakey (Trbojevic) and Turbo, these guys are not getting any younger. We know we have a great opportunity over the next season or two.

"No one is ever looking past round one. But everyone knows we have a window. Every club has a window.

"I remember a couple of years ago, Parramatta had a window and they made the grand final."

Saab said Manly were now firmly in their premiership window, and had reason to believe they could strike this year.

"For some clubs they are building to make the eight. But we have been through that phase where we wanted to just make the finals," Saab said.

"Now we want to make top four and win grand finals. You set realistic goals, but that is realistic for us.

"This year is the year where we are confident and going all in for that."