Latest news with #TomTrbojevic
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Splat!': Tom Trbojevic cops a huge Wests Tigers hit in brutal act
Prior to Friday night's 18-point win over the Wests Tigers, Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic said he was 'excited' at the prospect of playing in the centres for just the second time since 2017. One of the great fullbacks in the modern game, 'Turbo' was shifted to right centre by Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold to allow Lehi Hopoate to move into the No. 1 jumper. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. While the home side got the job done 28-10 at 4 Pines Park, just 11 minutes in the 28-year-old Trbojevic may have been regretting the decision to be so accommodating. With Manly attacking the Tigers' line, Daly Cherry-Evans found Hopoate, who moved the ball to Trbojevic as the home team chased the game's first points. But Tigers winger Jeral Skelton had other ideas, lining Trbojevic up and landing a crunching tackle that brought everyone watching out of their seats. Watch the big hit in the video player above 'Oh Tom! Tom has caught a beauty there,' Andrew Voss screamed on Fox League. 'Jeral Skelton, he's knocked himself about but he's taken out the main man. Call him the sniper.' Cooper Cronk added: 'Skelton has launched himself into Tom Trbojevic, rattles the cage of the Manly centre. 'I think he's also rattled himself because he's come up ginger. That was a big shot.' Voss then followed up: 'It was Kamikaze-like. I don't know if I've seen Tom get hit like that in his career. 'Welcome to the centres Tom.' While a sore Trbojevic was able to battle on, Skelton did indeed come off second best, with the independent doctor calling for a category 2 Head Injury Assessment test. But plenty of footy fans took to social media to comment on the brutal hit. The NRL News account on X wrote: 'Jeral Skelton puts a bellringer on Tommy Turbo but he's the one that has to come off for a HIA.' Sports journalist Lachlan Jeffery tweeted: 'That was a Kamikaze tackle by Jeral Skelton.' Señor Mick offered simply: 'SPLAT!!!!' Others were left questioning the decision to shift the injury-prone Trbojevic from his favoured position. Racing reporter Neil Evans declared: 'What a ridiculous decision to play Turbo in the centres!! 'Give him some freedom' Spoonbold said thru the week .. ffs there's 10 times more freedom at the back. Lol.' X account @OGHustle_Rugby asked: 'You'd stick Turbo on the wing or FB wouldn't you?? Let's play Mr Injury in the centres. Nice one you knuckles.' In a poor first half of footy, the Sea Eagles finally cracked the Tigers' tryline in the final minute and Turbo was heavily involved. With all the play down the left side of the field, Manly was repeatedly repelled by Wests' defensive line. 'Tom's getting a cold out at right centre,' Voss quipped. 'He's watching on with binoculars.' On the last tackle, Trbojevic finally got his chance, taking a cut-out ball from Luke Brooks and laying off a superb flick pass to Jason Saab who did the rest, scoring in the corner. 'Tom offloads to Saab, finally Tom gets a touch, and it's a golden one for the first try in the final minute of the opening half,' Voss said. Reuben Garrick nailed the sideline conversion for a 6-0 lead at the break. Leading up to the game, Trbojevic conceded he had no idea whether his move to centre would be permanent. Trbojevic's yardage has been solid in recent weeks, but he'd broken just five tackles in his past six games leading into Friday night after busting 83 in 20 matches last season. 'I had a lot of input from the coaches, but we've got someone like Lehi there who's very good at fullback,' Trbojevic said on Monday. 'I'm not unfamiliar with playing centre, I've done it before. It'll be a different challenge for me and one I'm excited for. 'It (the move) wasn't really on my mind, but the way that Lehi has been playing (made it easier) and I haven't been playing my best footy. 'It is what it is. I just love playing footy, and playing centre is something else on a footy field and it's no different to me. I just have to go out there and give it a go.' He may have had second thoughts after Skelton's crunching tackle, but he ran out the half well and looms as a key figure in the second 40 minutes. Manly then took control of the match after halftime, building a 16-0 lead with 30 minutes remaining. Benji Marshall's Tigers briefly had some momentum after Alex Seyfarth's 51st minute try, but the Sea Eagles regained control to record a comfortable win.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Why a stubborn footy star REFUSES to confirm where he is playing in 2026 - 'don't feel it is a distraction'
Daly Cherry-Evans has always operated on his own terms - and that isn't about to change as rumours continue to swirl surrounding his playing future. The Manly Sea Eagles captain, 36, is expected to link up with the Sydney Roosters next season, but confirmation will follow when the halfback is ready. 'There won't be anything happening soon, I dare say,' Cherry-Evans said on Friday following the win over the Wests Tigers when asked by reporters 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.' Pressed on whether he may retire, Cherry-Evans - who made his NRL debut for the club in 2011 - was coy in his response. 'So we don't go down a rabbit hole, I'll clarify it one more time,' he 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 (Manly) play this year.' While 'DCE' continues to frustrate some footy journalists, teammate Tom Trbojevic insists there is no divide at Brookvale. 'I've been comfortable with it since day dot,' the centre said as speculation increases the dragged out decision has destabilised the club. 'He's come and he's openly said what he wants to do and he's entitled to do that. 'I thought Cherry was going to be at this club his whole career. So (in March) 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. 'He's played footy for long enough to make decisions on his own terms and it is what it is.'
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
DCE future not a distraction for Manly: Trbojevic
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. 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. 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."
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Sport
- 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."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Manly claim pressure-easing win over toothless Tigers
Manly's backline overhaul has netted Anthony Seibiold a much-needed win, doing enough to beat Wests Tigers 28-10. After a fortnight of spotlight on Seibold's job and the Sea Eagles' form, Manly were far from their best at Brookvale Oval but still put themselves back in the top eight. Their plan to give Tom Trbojevic some confidence playing at centre showed some signs of working, with the regular No.1 having a role in two tries. Some slick passing as Garrick goes over! 🦅#NRLManlyTigers — NRL (@NRL) June 27, 2025 But his replacement at fullback Lehi Hopoate had one of his toughest outings of the season, putting down two high balls and getting beaten to another. Still, it was enough for the Sea Eagles to consign the Tigers to their sixth straight loss, who desperately missed Jarome Luai in attack after he was ruled out with a boil. Adding to the Tigers' concerns was a concussion for Api Koroisau, that has the potential to stifle any chance of Tallyn Da Silva leaving before the June 30 deadline. After back-to-back losses to Newcastle and Gold Coast before last week's bye, Manly just needed a win no matter how ugly it was. And for large periods of the first half on Friday night, it was anything but pretty for both teams through a scoreless opening 39 minutes. Trbojevic was whacked by Jeral Skelton the only time he received it in a good area during that time, with Manly regularly going short rather than out the back. But when the Sea Eagles finally utilised the fullback-turned-centre again, the game started to turn. The only first-half try came through the 28-year-old, when Trbojevic got the ball 10 metres out and put Jason Saab over to score. Trbojevic was at it again to start the second half, going from right centre to the left side of the field to act as second receiver. That gave the Sea Eagles an extra number, with Trbojevic holding the ball up for Lehi Hopoate to send Reuben Garrick over with a cut-out ball. Another Manly try came down that side after Trbojevic had again created numbers early in the set, before Luke Brooks and Daly Cherry-Evans helped Tolu Koula score. Second-rowers Corey Waddell and Ben Trbojevic also went over in the second half, one from a Cherry-Evans short ball and another from the halfback's kick. There were still some questions over Tom Trbojevic's defence at centre, with the visitors' first try coming when Adam Douiehi put Alex Seyfarth past him and into a gaping hole. 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.
