Manly make next Trbojevic centre call after Tigers win
Manly will leave Tom Trbojevic in the centres for at least one more week after the Sea Eagles star helped them to a much-needed 28-10 win over Wests Tigers.
In his first game since being shifted from fullback, Trbojevic came alive either side of halftime and had a hand in two tries at Brookvale Oval.
Manly were far from their best, but after a fortnight of spotlight on coach Anthony Seibold they are back in the top eight following a win the hosts desperately needed.
The result also consigned the Tigers to their sixth straight loss, who desperately missed Jarome Luai in attack after he was ruled out on gameday.
Adding to the Tigers' concerns was a concussion for Api Koroisau, which has the potential to stifle any chance of fellow hooker Tallyn Da Silva leaving before the June 30 deadline.
But all eyes were always going to be on Trbojevic and the Manly coach's box on Friday night.
'Turbo' got the ball in good shape just once in a scoreless 39 minutes, when he was whacked by Jeral Skelton and coughed up possession.
But when the Sea Eagles finally utilised the fullback-turned-centre again, the game started to turn.
The only first-half try came through 28-year-old Trbojevic, who got the ball 10 metres out and put Jason Saab over to score.
Trbojevic then began to roam in the second half, combining with new No.1 Lehi Hopoate for a Reuben Garrick try when he roamed from right centre to the left.
Another Manly try came down the left after Trbojevic had again created numbers early in the set, before Luke Brooks and Daly Cherry-Evans helped Tolu Koula score.
Manly have been adamant all week Trbojevic's move was a short-term one, designed to put confidence back in the 2021 Dally M Medallist's game.
The Sea Eagles have South Sydney next Sunday, before another bye.
"We'll do it again next week and then we'll have a rethink after the bye," Seibold said after the win.
"Everyone has been telling me for the past 18 months you need to move Turbo to centre, and then I do it I get criticised.
"I just want him to enjoy his footy.
"It was great to see him get across and have a bit of freedom, he didn't have to worry about organising our defence."
There were still some questions over Trbojevic's defence, with the visitors' first try coming when Adam Douiehi put Alex Seyfarth past him and into a gaping hole.
Hopoate had his toughest half of the season wearing No.1, dropping two kicks after being virtually unblemished while playing their previously, while Manly also fear prop Nathan Brown suffered a possible season-ending biceps rupture.
While the Tigers are clearly an improved outfit, they have now lost six in a row and will likely face the Sydney Roosters next week without Koroisau and Luai.
Da Silva scored late out of dummy-half but looks likely to leave the club by year's end, while Latu Fainu lacked spark without Luai next to him.
Luai was hospitalised with a boil infection, but the Tigers expect him to be fit for State of Origin III on July 9.
"We were left in a bit of a scramble with Jarome pulling out this morning," coach Benji Marshall said.
"We didn't have enough experience in those positions today to get it done. We got dominated in field position.
"The last few weeks have been really good, today was a step backwards."
Manly will leave Tom Trbojevic in the centres for at least one more week after the Sea Eagles star helped them to a much-needed 28-10 win over Wests Tigers.
In his first game since being shifted from fullback, Trbojevic came alive either side of halftime and had a hand in two tries at Brookvale Oval.
Manly were far from their best, but after a fortnight of spotlight on coach Anthony Seibold they are back in the top eight following a win the hosts desperately needed.
The result also consigned the Tigers to their sixth straight loss, who desperately missed Jarome Luai in attack after he was ruled out on gameday.
Adding to the Tigers' concerns was a concussion for Api Koroisau, which has the potential to stifle any chance of fellow hooker Tallyn Da Silva leaving before the June 30 deadline.
But all eyes were always going to be on Trbojevic and the Manly coach's box on Friday night.
'Turbo' got the ball in good shape just once in a scoreless 39 minutes, when he was whacked by Jeral Skelton and coughed up possession.
But when the Sea Eagles finally utilised the fullback-turned-centre again, the game started to turn.
The only first-half try came through 28-year-old Trbojevic, who got the ball 10 metres out and put Jason Saab over to score.
Trbojevic then began to roam in the second half, combining with new No.1 Lehi Hopoate for a Reuben Garrick try when he roamed from right centre to the left.
Another Manly try came down the left after Trbojevic had again created numbers early in the set, before Luke Brooks and Daly Cherry-Evans helped Tolu Koula score.
Manly have been adamant all week Trbojevic's move was a short-term one, designed to put confidence back in the 2021 Dally M Medallist's game.
The Sea Eagles have South Sydney next Sunday, before another bye.
"We'll do it again next week and then we'll have a rethink after the bye," Seibold said after the win.
"Everyone has been telling me for the past 18 months you need to move Turbo to centre, and then I do it I get criticised.
"I just want him to enjoy his footy.
"It was great to see him get across and have a bit of freedom, he didn't have to worry about organising our defence."
There were still some questions over Trbojevic's defence, with the visitors' first try coming when Adam Douiehi put Alex Seyfarth past him and into a gaping hole.
Hopoate had his toughest half of the season wearing No.1, dropping two kicks after being virtually unblemished while playing their previously, while Manly also fear prop Nathan Brown suffered a possible season-ending biceps rupture.
While the Tigers are clearly an improved outfit, they have now lost six in a row and will likely face the Sydney Roosters next week without Koroisau and Luai.
Da Silva scored late out of dummy-half but looks likely to leave the club by year's end, while Latu Fainu lacked spark without Luai next to him.
Luai was hospitalised with a boil infection, but the Tigers expect him to be fit for State of Origin III on July 9.
"We were left in a bit of a scramble with Jarome pulling out this morning," coach Benji Marshall said.
"We didn't have enough experience in those positions today to get it done. We got dominated in field position.
"The last few weeks have been really good, today was a step backwards."
Manly will leave Tom Trbojevic in the centres for at least one more week after the Sea Eagles star helped them to a much-needed 28-10 win over Wests Tigers.
In his first game since being shifted from fullback, Trbojevic came alive either side of halftime and had a hand in two tries at Brookvale Oval.
Manly were far from their best, but after a fortnight of spotlight on coach Anthony Seibold they are back in the top eight following a win the hosts desperately needed.
The result also consigned the Tigers to their sixth straight loss, who desperately missed Jarome Luai in attack after he was ruled out on gameday.
Adding to the Tigers' concerns was a concussion for Api Koroisau, which has the potential to stifle any chance of fellow hooker Tallyn Da Silva leaving before the June 30 deadline.
But all eyes were always going to be on Trbojevic and the Manly coach's box on Friday night.
'Turbo' got the ball in good shape just once in a scoreless 39 minutes, when he was whacked by Jeral Skelton and coughed up possession.
But when the Sea Eagles finally utilised the fullback-turned-centre again, the game started to turn.
The only first-half try came through 28-year-old Trbojevic, who got the ball 10 metres out and put Jason Saab over to score.
Trbojevic then began to roam in the second half, combining with new No.1 Lehi Hopoate for a Reuben Garrick try when he roamed from right centre to the left.
Another Manly try came down the left after Trbojevic had again created numbers early in the set, before Luke Brooks and Daly Cherry-Evans helped Tolu Koula score.
Manly have been adamant all week Trbojevic's move was a short-term one, designed to put confidence back in the 2021 Dally M Medallist's game.
The Sea Eagles have South Sydney next Sunday, before another bye.
"We'll do it again next week and then we'll have a rethink after the bye," Seibold said after the win.
"Everyone has been telling me for the past 18 months you need to move Turbo to centre, and then I do it I get criticised.
"I just want him to enjoy his footy.
"It was great to see him get across and have a bit of freedom, he didn't have to worry about organising our defence."
There were still some questions over Trbojevic's defence, with the visitors' first try coming when Adam Douiehi put Alex Seyfarth past him and into a gaping hole.
Hopoate had his toughest half of the season wearing No.1, dropping two kicks after being virtually unblemished while playing their previously, while Manly also fear prop Nathan Brown suffered a possible season-ending biceps rupture.
While the Tigers are clearly an improved outfit, they have now lost six in a row and will likely face the Sydney Roosters next week without Koroisau and Luai.
Da Silva scored late out of dummy-half but looks likely to leave the club by year's end, while Latu Fainu lacked spark without Luai next to him.
Luai was hospitalised with a boil infection, but the Tigers expect him to be fit for State of Origin III on July 9.
"We were left in a bit of a scramble with Jarome pulling out this morning," coach Benji Marshall said.
"We didn't have enough experience in those positions today to get it done. We got dominated in field position.
"The last few weeks have been really good, today was a step backwards."
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DCE future not a distraction for Manly: Trbojevic
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"He's come and he's openly said what he wants to do and he's entitled to do that. "He doesn't need to tell me that he's still doing this and this is why he's doing that. Because we're here to play footy and that's the focus. "Obviously, I was shocked when I heard the news (in March). I thought Cherry was going to be at this club his whole career. So, that was a shock. "But we're out here doing our job and what he's doing next year is not going to affect me doing my job and he's entitled to that. "He's played footy for long enough to make decisions on his own terms and it is what it is." Cherry-Evans had reiterated last month he planned to play into 2026, with the motivation "definitely there" and a deal to come "when the time is right". At the time the halfback had indicated he would wait until after State of Origin to confirm his plans, before he was ultimately dropped by Queensland for game two. 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Manly star Tom Trbojevic insists Daly Cherry-Evans has earned the right to push out an announcement on 2026, with the halfback making clear no call is coming "any time soon". Cherry-Evans refused to say on Friday night where he stood on next season, three months after announcing this year would be his 15th and last at Manly. In the time since Cherry-Evans' announcement, Manly have been guilty of going from genuine contenders to fighting to keep pace with the NRL's top eight. That had prompted external claims the Cherry-Evans announcement had destabilised the Sea Eagles' season, a point rejected by coach Anthony Seibold. Cherry-Evans addressed Manly players and staff when it was his turn to lead a "campfire" chat in recent weeks, and has been assured his future is not a distraction. "I've been comfortable with it since day dot," Trbojevic said on Friday night after Manly's pressure-relieving 28-10 win over Wests Tigers. "He's come and he's openly said what he wants to do and he's entitled to do that. "He doesn't need to tell me that he's still doing this and this is why he's doing that. Because we're here to play footy and that's the focus. "Obviously, I was shocked when I heard the news (in March). I thought Cherry was going to be at this club his whole career. So, that was a shock. "But we're out here doing our job and what he's doing next year is not going to affect me doing my job and he's entitled to that. "He's played footy for long enough to make decisions on his own terms and it is what it is." Cherry-Evans had reiterated last month he planned to play into 2026, with the motivation "definitely there" and a deal to come "when the time is right". At the time the halfback had indicated he would wait until after State of Origin to confirm his plans, before he was ultimately dropped by Queensland for game two. Trbojevic also still expects Cherry-Evans to play on next year, believing the No.7 is performing well enough to do so. As things stand, the 36-year-old is widely expected to end up at the Sydney Roosters. "There won't be anything happening soon, I dare say," Cherry-Evans said when asked if he was close to announcing his next move. "We've spoken about it as a team, we definitely don't feel it (my future) is a distraction. Asked whether he was second guessing a decision on whether to play on, Cherry-Evans was coy in his response. "So we don't go down a rabbit hole, I'll clarify it one more time," Cherry-Evans responded. "I've made the decision (in March) so Manly were aware, and so I could afford myself the freedom to make a choice that was best for me next year. "When I do make that announcement it will be because it's the best situation for me and my future. "The most important thing is how we play this year." Manly star Tom Trbojevic insists Daly Cherry-Evans has earned the right to push out an announcement on 2026, with the halfback making clear no call is coming "any time soon". Cherry-Evans refused to say on Friday night where he stood on next season, three months after announcing this year would be his 15th and last at Manly. In the time since Cherry-Evans' announcement, Manly have been guilty of going from genuine contenders to fighting to keep pace with the NRL's top eight. That had prompted external claims the Cherry-Evans announcement had destabilised the Sea Eagles' season, a point rejected by coach Anthony Seibold. Cherry-Evans addressed Manly players and staff when it was his turn to lead a "campfire" chat in recent weeks, and has been assured his future is not a distraction. "I've been comfortable with it since day dot," Trbojevic said on Friday night after Manly's pressure-relieving 28-10 win over Wests Tigers. "He's come and he's openly said what he wants to do and he's entitled to do that. "He doesn't need to tell me that he's still doing this and this is why he's doing that. Because we're here to play footy and that's the focus. "Obviously, I was shocked when I heard the news (in March). I thought Cherry was going to be at this club his whole career. So, that was a shock. "But we're out here doing our job and what he's doing next year is not going to affect me doing my job and he's entitled to that. "He's played footy for long enough to make decisions on his own terms and it is what it is." Cherry-Evans had reiterated last month he planned to play into 2026, with the motivation "definitely there" and a deal to come "when the time is right". At the time the halfback had indicated he would wait until after State of Origin to confirm his plans, before he was ultimately dropped by Queensland for game two. 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The Advertiser
11 hours ago
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Blues happy to give Luai time to beat infection
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Kiraz was in line to start the series for the Blues before a calf injury ruled him out. He also came in as cover when To'o battled a hamstring injury before Origin II. NSW would be willing to give a hospitalised Jarome Luai until late in the week to overcome an infection, wanting him training by Thursday ahead of State of Origin III. Luai was desperately missed by the Tigers in their 28-10 loss to Manly on Friday night, after being ruled out on the morning of the game. The 28-year-old skipped training on Thursday with an infection from a boil, before needing to be hospitalised with fevers. The four-time premiership winner took to Instagram on Saturday to share a story that said "God, thank you for waking me up today", with a caption that read "back up and go again". NSW coach Laurie Daley will name his team for the July 9 Origin decider on Sunday, and it is expected Luai will be picked in the No.6 jersey. AAP understands the Blues would be happy to bring Luai into camp if he was not ready to train, and would be fine with him not taking to the field in their first session on Wednesday. But NSW officials would want him to be fit for Thursday's training run, which usually serves as an opposed run where preparations ramp up for game day. The Tigers painted an optimistic picture over Luai's health on Friday night, believing he could have played if the game was later in the weekend. "I am pretty sure he will be OK for NSW if they pick him," coach Benji Marshall said on Friday night. "He got an infection yesterday and didn't come to training. He said he was going to be all right to play. "And then he went to hospital and had fevers and the infection got a lot worse. "If it was another 24 or 48 hours Jarome would have been right to play. But he wasn't good for today." But while the Tigers missed Luai in attack, his availability for the Blues at Accor Stadium in a week and a half is crucial. Mitch Moses is still out with a calf injury after being hurt in camp for game two, prompting Luai's return to the side. Fellow half Nathan Cleary will be fit to play, after kicking freely in general play in Penrith's win over Canterbury on Thursday night with his sore groin. Cleary is yet to resume goal-kicking after hearing a pop in his groin on the day before Origin II, and has avoided questions on whether he will in Origin III. NSW have already had Matt Burton as back-up half for Origin II, and he appears the most likely to be on standby for Luai and Cleary next week. Serious concerns also remain around winger Brian To'o, who had scans on his left knee on Saturday afternoon. To'o hurt his knee in the Panthers' win on Thursday night, and left CommBank Stadium with ice on it. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said as he left the ground on Thursday night. "I think it might've happened during the game. Either way I'm all good ... It's good." If To'o is unavailable for the series decider at Accor Stadium, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would be the clear front-runner to replace him. Kiraz was in line to start the series for the Blues before a calf injury ruled him out. He also came in as cover when To'o battled a hamstring injury before Origin II. NSW would be willing to give a hospitalised Jarome Luai until late in the week to overcome an infection, wanting him training by Thursday ahead of State of Origin III. Luai was desperately missed by the Tigers in their 28-10 loss to Manly on Friday night, after being ruled out on the morning of the game. The 28-year-old skipped training on Thursday with an infection from a boil, before needing to be hospitalised with fevers. The four-time premiership winner took to Instagram on Saturday to share a story that said "God, thank you for waking me up today", with a caption that read "back up and go again". NSW coach Laurie Daley will name his team for the July 9 Origin decider on Sunday, and it is expected Luai will be picked in the No.6 jersey. AAP understands the Blues would be happy to bring Luai into camp if he was not ready to train, and would be fine with him not taking to the field in their first session on Wednesday. But NSW officials would want him to be fit for Thursday's training run, which usually serves as an opposed run where preparations ramp up for game day. The Tigers painted an optimistic picture over Luai's health on Friday night, believing he could have played if the game was later in the weekend. "I am pretty sure he will be OK for NSW if they pick him," coach Benji Marshall said on Friday night. "He got an infection yesterday and didn't come to training. He said he was going to be all right to play. "And then he went to hospital and had fevers and the infection got a lot worse. "If it was another 24 or 48 hours Jarome would have been right to play. But he wasn't good for today." But while the Tigers missed Luai in attack, his availability for the Blues at Accor Stadium in a week and a half is crucial. Mitch Moses is still out with a calf injury after being hurt in camp for game two, prompting Luai's return to the side. Fellow half Nathan Cleary will be fit to play, after kicking freely in general play in Penrith's win over Canterbury on Thursday night with his sore groin. Cleary is yet to resume goal-kicking after hearing a pop in his groin on the day before Origin II, and has avoided questions on whether he will in Origin III. NSW have already had Matt Burton as back-up half for Origin II, and he appears the most likely to be on standby for Luai and Cleary next week. Serious concerns also remain around winger Brian To'o, who had scans on his left knee on Saturday afternoon. To'o hurt his knee in the Panthers' win on Thursday night, and left CommBank Stadium with ice on it. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said as he left the ground on Thursday night. "I think it might've happened during the game. Either way I'm all good ... It's good." If To'o is unavailable for the series decider at Accor Stadium, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would be the clear front-runner to replace him. Kiraz was in line to start the series for the Blues before a calf injury ruled him out. He also came in as cover when To'o battled a hamstring injury before Origin II.
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Sea Eagle Trbojevic not thinking about fullback return
Tom Trbojevic says his representative approach to playing centre can be replicated at Manly, while adamant he's not treating the move as a short-term shift. Trbojevic had a hand in two tries in his shift back to centre on Friday night, growing in confidence in the second half as Manly beat Wests Tigers 28-10. Coach Anthony Seibold confirmed afterwards Trbojevic would play centre again next week against South Sydney, before Manly reconsider over the bye. The Sea Eagles have made no secret of the fact they expect Trbojevic's move from fullback to be a short-term sugar hit, aimed at freeing the 28-year-old up and getting his confidence back. The plan would then be for Trbojevic to take the No.1 jersey back off Lehi Hopoate later this year, to have the 2021 Dally M Medallist firing at the end of the season. But Trbojevic said he was not subscribing to that theory, refusing to look beyond his time at centre. "I'm not thinking about what we're doing in four weeks. I'm thinking about what we're doing right now," Trbojevic said. "They're going to work that side of it out. If I'm at centre for the rest of the year, then I'm at centre for the rest of the year. So it is what it is. "My focus isn't to get confidence and then go back (to fullback). I'm doing my best for the team now, and that's playing centre. That's my focus. "Winning's enjoyable. That's what this game's about. I'm happy to play anywhere. "I enjoy fullback. I can enjoy playing centre. I haven't played front row, but I'd probably enjoy it for a little bit. If we're winning, I am happy." Trbojevic was hardly used by the Sea Eagles for the first 39 minutes on Friday night, jammed hard by Jeral Skelton on the one occasion he got the ball in good shape. But when the Sea Eagles gave him early ball just before halftime, Trbojevic was able to send Jason Saab over. It was notable Trbojevic began to roam far more in the second half, moving to the left to set up one try and providing numbers there on the play before another. The Manly favourite has done likewise when starring at centre for NSW and Australia, a point Seibold referenced in the lead up to his move to an edge. "It's just about playing footy. It's not really a blueprint, I just kind of go out there and feel it," Trbojevic said. "I feel like I've been able to do it pretty well. It's just giving teams a different look. "I think I attacked pretty well. But there were a couple of defensive reads that I'm not happy with. "But that's just part of the game. You're just going got to get better the more you do it." Tom Trbojevic says his representative approach to playing centre can be replicated at Manly, while adamant he's not treating the move as a short-term shift. Trbojevic had a hand in two tries in his shift back to centre on Friday night, growing in confidence in the second half as Manly beat Wests Tigers 28-10. Coach Anthony Seibold confirmed afterwards Trbojevic would play centre again next week against South Sydney, before Manly reconsider over the bye. The Sea Eagles have made no secret of the fact they expect Trbojevic's move from fullback to be a short-term sugar hit, aimed at freeing the 28-year-old up and getting his confidence back. The plan would then be for Trbojevic to take the No.1 jersey back off Lehi Hopoate later this year, to have the 2021 Dally M Medallist firing at the end of the season. But Trbojevic said he was not subscribing to that theory, refusing to look beyond his time at centre. "I'm not thinking about what we're doing in four weeks. I'm thinking about what we're doing right now," Trbojevic said. "They're going to work that side of it out. If I'm at centre for the rest of the year, then I'm at centre for the rest of the year. So it is what it is. "My focus isn't to get confidence and then go back (to fullback). I'm doing my best for the team now, and that's playing centre. That's my focus. "Winning's enjoyable. That's what this game's about. I'm happy to play anywhere. "I enjoy fullback. I can enjoy playing centre. I haven't played front row, but I'd probably enjoy it for a little bit. If we're winning, I am happy." Trbojevic was hardly used by the Sea Eagles for the first 39 minutes on Friday night, jammed hard by Jeral Skelton on the one occasion he got the ball in good shape. But when the Sea Eagles gave him early ball just before halftime, Trbojevic was able to send Jason Saab over. It was notable Trbojevic began to roam far more in the second half, moving to the left to set up one try and providing numbers there on the play before another. The Manly favourite has done likewise when starring at centre for NSW and Australia, a point Seibold referenced in the lead up to his move to an edge. "It's just about playing footy. It's not really a blueprint, I just kind of go out there and feel it," Trbojevic said. "I feel like I've been able to do it pretty well. It's just giving teams a different look. "I think I attacked pretty well. But there were a couple of defensive reads that I'm not happy with. "But that's just part of the game. You're just going got to get better the more you do it." Tom Trbojevic says his representative approach to playing centre can be replicated at Manly, while adamant he's not treating the move as a short-term shift. Trbojevic had a hand in two tries in his shift back to centre on Friday night, growing in confidence in the second half as Manly beat Wests Tigers 28-10. Coach Anthony Seibold confirmed afterwards Trbojevic would play centre again next week against South Sydney, before Manly reconsider over the bye. The Sea Eagles have made no secret of the fact they expect Trbojevic's move from fullback to be a short-term sugar hit, aimed at freeing the 28-year-old up and getting his confidence back. The plan would then be for Trbojevic to take the No.1 jersey back off Lehi Hopoate later this year, to have the 2021 Dally M Medallist firing at the end of the season. But Trbojevic said he was not subscribing to that theory, refusing to look beyond his time at centre. "I'm not thinking about what we're doing in four weeks. I'm thinking about what we're doing right now," Trbojevic said. "They're going to work that side of it out. If I'm at centre for the rest of the year, then I'm at centre for the rest of the year. So it is what it is. "My focus isn't to get confidence and then go back (to fullback). I'm doing my best for the team now, and that's playing centre. That's my focus. "Winning's enjoyable. That's what this game's about. I'm happy to play anywhere. "I enjoy fullback. I can enjoy playing centre. I haven't played front row, but I'd probably enjoy it for a little bit. If we're winning, I am happy." Trbojevic was hardly used by the Sea Eagles for the first 39 minutes on Friday night, jammed hard by Jeral Skelton on the one occasion he got the ball in good shape. But when the Sea Eagles gave him early ball just before halftime, Trbojevic was able to send Jason Saab over. It was notable Trbojevic began to roam far more in the second half, moving to the left to set up one try and providing numbers there on the play before another. The Manly favourite has done likewise when starring at centre for NSW and Australia, a point Seibold referenced in the lead up to his move to an edge. "It's just about playing footy. It's not really a blueprint, I just kind of go out there and feel it," Trbojevic said. "I feel like I've been able to do it pretty well. It's just giving teams a different look. "I think I attacked pretty well. But there were a couple of defensive reads that I'm not happy with. "But that's just part of the game. You're just going got to get better the more you do it."
