The grim stat which shows why Manly must move Tom Trbojevic back to fullback
Trbojevic's brother Jake insisted Tom was more than holding his own in the centres, especially defensively, but agreed fullback was his natural position.
'He brings a lot of talk and confidence and a lot of energy when he's back there,' Jake said.
Trbojevic, 28, was a crowd favourite with the kids at his old primary school in Mona Vale on Tuesday, where Tom, Jake and Ben Trbojevic were on hand to celebrate next week's Public Education Week.
He said the main difference playing in the centres had been the heavier defensive workload.
'I'm doing what's best for the team,' Trbojevic said. 'That's where they want me, I'll go out there and try to put my own spin on it and play the best footy I can.
'It was tough on the weekend against the Dogs. We didn't have any field position, and you don't want to be reactive based on one game. I've said I'm happy to stay in the centres and nothing has changed.'
The Sea Eagles and Roosters are on the edge of the top eight, and victory is vital for both clubs at what will be an eighth sellout in 10 games at 4 Pines Park this season.
Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans is expected to link with the Roosters next year, but Jake Trbojevic gave a wry smile when asked about the potential move. 'We actually don't know,' Trbojevic grinned. 'He definitely doesn't want to tell us, so I won't even bother asking.'
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Tom looked troubled by a knee complaint late against the Dogs, but said he was in no doubt, while his good mates and Roosters' No.1 James Tedesco, the Dally M favourite, 'had been the best player in the comp by a country mile' this season.
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Dolphins overcome loss of star centre to take thriller
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Starting round 22 in eighth spot and chasing a maiden finals berth, it helps the Dolphins keep Manly and the Sydney Roosters at bay. The win was all the more remarkable with strike centre Herbie Farnworth assisted from the field with a hamstring injury. The England international, who has been the Dolphins' most consistent performer in 2025, opened the scoring in the fourth minute, crossing for his 12th try of season. But tragedy struck soon after when the 25-year-old made a break and was charging downfield, only to crash to the turf clutching at his hamstring. Initial reports from the Dolphins were that Farnworth was looking at four to six weeks on the sidelines, with scans booked back in Brisbane. The Dolphins had only got playmaker Kodi Nikorima back for the clash with the fourth-placed Warriors after five weeks on the sidelines with his own hamstring injury. Despite missing key trio Chanel Harris-Tavita, James Fisher-Harris and Wayde Egan, the Warriors looked like they had bounced back to form after their shock loss to battling Gold Coast. Hard-running winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak crossed twice in the first half although the Warriors trailed 16-12 at halftime, with Marshall-King and Oryn Keeley also getting on the board for the visitors. The home side took the lead in the 60th minute when second-rower Leka Halasima leapt high to take a Tanah Boyd bomb and dived across the line for a converted try. Nikorima blew a chance to take the lead with seven minutes remaining when he knocked on an Katoa grubber in the in-goal. The visitors then lost veteran forward Felise Kaufusi to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle, taking out the legs of Jacob Laban. But Watene-Zelezniak's penalty for a high tackle on Max Fegai gave them another sniff and Isaako, who normally would have taken the penalty goal, still delivered. Warriors coach Andrew Webster said his side wasn't going to "kick stones" over the defeat. "There's so many good signs but it's hard to take obviously because it's such a dramatic finish," he said. "No-one is going to lie, you get your hopes up ... and then it gets taken away from you and that's hard, but we've got to move on." A high-risk, high-reward play has paid off for the Dolphins, who have given their NRL finals hopes a major boost with a last-ditch 20-18 win over the Warriors. The Dolphins looked down and out at Auckland's Go Media Stadium in their Friday night clash, trailing 18-16 with just over two minutes remaining and down a man. But they earned a penalty 35 metres out and opted against going for a score-levelling kick, instead chasing a match-winning try. It paid off, scoring on the final tackle, with Jeremy Marshall-King sending a long ball out for winger Jamayne Isaako to break the hearts of the Warriors. Daring Dolphins skipper Isaiya Katoa said he believed they had to attack to roll the dice. "I thought we were attacking really well, we just needed to give ourselves an opportunity to go down there and play some footy," the halfback said. "I was definitely confident that we were playing good enough and I was confident in the attack and being able to score a try to win the game." Starting round 22 in eighth spot and chasing a maiden finals berth, it helps the Dolphins keep Manly and the Sydney Roosters at bay. The win was all the more remarkable with strike centre Herbie Farnworth assisted from the field with a hamstring injury. The England international, who has been the Dolphins' most consistent performer in 2025, opened the scoring in the fourth minute, crossing for his 12th try of season. But tragedy struck soon after when the 25-year-old made a break and was charging downfield, only to crash to the turf clutching at his hamstring. Initial reports from the Dolphins were that Farnworth was looking at four to six weeks on the sidelines, with scans booked back in Brisbane. The Dolphins had only got playmaker Kodi Nikorima back for the clash with the fourth-placed Warriors after five weeks on the sidelines with his own hamstring injury. Despite missing key trio Chanel Harris-Tavita, James Fisher-Harris and Wayde Egan, the Warriors looked like they had bounced back to form after their shock loss to battling Gold Coast. Hard-running winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak crossed twice in the first half although the Warriors trailed 16-12 at halftime, with Marshall-King and Oryn Keeley also getting on the board for the visitors. The home side took the lead in the 60th minute when second-rower Leka Halasima leapt high to take a Tanah Boyd bomb and dived across the line for a converted try. Nikorima blew a chance to take the lead with seven minutes remaining when he knocked on an Katoa grubber in the in-goal. The visitors then lost veteran forward Felise Kaufusi to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle, taking out the legs of Jacob Laban. But Watene-Zelezniak's penalty for a high tackle on Max Fegai gave them another sniff and Isaako, who normally would have taken the penalty goal, still delivered. Warriors coach Andrew Webster said his side wasn't going to "kick stones" over the defeat. "There's so many good signs but it's hard to take obviously because it's such a dramatic finish," he said. "No-one is going to lie, you get your hopes up ... and then it gets taken away from you and that's hard, but we've got to move on." A high-risk, high-reward play has paid off for the Dolphins, who have given their NRL finals hopes a major boost with a last-ditch 20-18 win over the Warriors. The Dolphins looked down and out at Auckland's Go Media Stadium in their Friday night clash, trailing 18-16 with just over two minutes remaining and down a man. But they earned a penalty 35 metres out and opted against going for a score-levelling kick, instead chasing a match-winning try. It paid off, scoring on the final tackle, with Jeremy Marshall-King sending a long ball out for winger Jamayne Isaako to break the hearts of the Warriors. Daring Dolphins skipper Isaiya Katoa said he believed they had to attack to roll the dice. "I thought we were attacking really well, we just needed to give ourselves an opportunity to go down there and play some footy," the halfback said. "I was definitely confident that we were playing good enough and I was confident in the attack and being able to score a try to win the game." Starting round 22 in eighth spot and chasing a maiden finals berth, it helps the Dolphins keep Manly and the Sydney Roosters at bay. The win was all the more remarkable with strike centre Herbie Farnworth assisted from the field with a hamstring injury. The England international, who has been the Dolphins' most consistent performer in 2025, opened the scoring in the fourth minute, crossing for his 12th try of season. But tragedy struck soon after when the 25-year-old made a break and was charging downfield, only to crash to the turf clutching at his hamstring. Initial reports from the Dolphins were that Farnworth was looking at four to six weeks on the sidelines, with scans booked back in Brisbane. The Dolphins had only got playmaker Kodi Nikorima back for the clash with the fourth-placed Warriors after five weeks on the sidelines with his own hamstring injury. Despite missing key trio Chanel Harris-Tavita, James Fisher-Harris and Wayde Egan, the Warriors looked like they had bounced back to form after their shock loss to battling Gold Coast. Hard-running winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak crossed twice in the first half although the Warriors trailed 16-12 at halftime, with Marshall-King and Oryn Keeley also getting on the board for the visitors. The home side took the lead in the 60th minute when second-rower Leka Halasima leapt high to take a Tanah Boyd bomb and dived across the line for a converted try. Nikorima blew a chance to take the lead with seven minutes remaining when he knocked on an Katoa grubber in the in-goal. The visitors then lost veteran forward Felise Kaufusi to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle, taking out the legs of Jacob Laban. But Watene-Zelezniak's penalty for a high tackle on Max Fegai gave them another sniff and Isaako, who normally would have taken the penalty goal, still delivered. Warriors coach Andrew Webster said his side wasn't going to "kick stones" over the defeat. "There's so many good signs but it's hard to take obviously because it's such a dramatic finish," he said. "No-one is going to lie, you get your hopes up ... and then it gets taken away from you and that's hard, but we've got to move on."
Sydney Morning Herald
9 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The secret to Teddy's career-best form? Resisting what he does best
But there is a tweak in the ruck running that Lindsay Collins says Tedesco 'probably pioneered' – those pin-balling tackle three and four carries that Dylan Edwards and Connor Tracey have also made their hallmarks. The same plays that, through sheer competitiveness and ability, could see Tedesco involved too much, especially as NSW captain, trying to put a team on his back too often. Champion Data statistics reveal Tedesco ranks fourth across the NRL for tackle three carries in 2025, and second for tackle four runs. Clint Gutherson is the only other back who features in the top five of each stat, which is otherwise led by elite pack horses like Terrell May, Keaon Koloamatangi and Pat Carrigan. Since a 2023 dip in form, Tedesco is significantly more involved in the middle of the Roosters sets, yet finding his teammates more often too – as noted by Rugby League Writers' Jason Oliver. 'I'd say he's added that pass with those plays over the last two years,' Watson says. 'I think that's because you see a lot of fullbacks running that way now [around the ruck]. So if Teddy brings a bit of shape around his carry, it gives us the option to move the ball from his running too.' Collins adds: 'As a middle too, if you're running around Teddy, you notice the defensive line can stop and hold, because they're on alert. There's the chance to hit a hole off him, and usually a quick play-the-ball too.' For his part, Tedesco was quick to point to the Roosters drop-off in the past month that has dropped them out of the top eight at the wrong point in the season. Losses to the Tigers and Storm when Jahrome Hughes went down are particularly galling. 'Our team performances haven't been the best and I'll wear a bit of that,' Tedesco said leading into the Manly clash. 'But I've been really enjoying leading these young guys. I think at the start of the year no-one really gave us a chance or expectation and I've enjoyed leading those boys through my actions and communication. 'Now there is expectation and pressure on us to win. I need to lead by example.' Aside from the Roosters error-strewn defeat to Cronulla two weeks back, Tedesco has hit the same lofty bar he's set all season. With five, if not six wins needed from as many games to sneak into the finals, the return of young half Hugo Savala's kicking game and control is especially welcome. Loading Sydney's latest big wet points to the long and short kicking games of Savala and Sam Walker, Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks potentially deciding their sides' top-eight hopes. So too Tedesco's trademark sniping around the ruck, especially if Tom Trbojevic is still confined to right centre when, at his best, he can match the Roosters No.1 scything through a middle defence. The temptation to try and put the Tricolours on his back is right there for Tedesco. 'It's a constant thing to work on,' he says. 'Over my career, around the ruck and around the middle of the field is where I've played most of my footy but there's lots of opportunities out wide. 'It's those combinations with the halves – Sammy Walker's come back in, Hugo's been out a couple of weeks but as a spine working together, that's what brings out my best footy. 'So I have to be clear with our spine on what our game plan is, but just getting my hands on the ball without too much thinking is when I play my best footy too.'
The Age
9 hours ago
- The Age
The secret to Teddy's career-best form? Resisting what he does best
But there is a tweak in the ruck running that Lindsay Collins says Tedesco 'probably pioneered' - those pin-balling tackle three and four carries that Dylan Edwards and Connor Tracey have also made their hallmarks. The same plays that, through sheer competitiveness and ability, could see Tedesco involved too much, especially as NSW captain, trying to put a team on his back too often. Champion Data statistics reveal Tedesco ranks fourth across the NRL for tackle three carries in 2025, and second for tackle four runs. Clint Gutherson is the only other back who features in the top five of each stat, which is otherwise led by elite pack horses like Terrell May, Keaon Koloamatangi and Pat Carrigan. Since a 2023 dip in form, Tedesco is significantly more involved in the middle of the Roosters sets, yet finding his teammates more often too - as noted by Rugby League Writers' Jason Oliver. 'I'd say he's added that pass with those plays over the last two years,' Watson says. 'I think that's because you see a lot of fullbacks running that way now [around the ruck]. So if Teddy brings a bit of shape around his carry, it gives us the option to move the ball from his running too.' Collins adds: 'As a middle too, if you're running around Teddy, you notice the defensive line can stop and hold, because they're on alert. There's the chance to hit a hole off him, and usually a quick play-the-ball too.' For his part, Tedesco was quick to point to the Roosters drop-off in the past month that has dropped them out of the top eight at the wrong point in the season. Losses to the Tigers and Storm when Jahrome Hughes went down are particularly galling. 'Our team performances haven't been the best and I'll wear a bit of that,' Tedesco said leading into the Manly clash. 'But I've been really enjoying leading these young guys. I think at the start of the year no-one really gave us a chance or expectation and I've enjoyed leading those boys through my actions and communication. 'Now there is expectation and pressure on us to win. I need to lead by example.' Aside from the Roosters error-strewn defeat to Cronulla two weeks back, Tedesco has hit the same lofty bar he's set all season. With five, if not six wins needed from as many games to sneak into the finals, the return of young half Hugo Savala's kicking game and control is especially welcome. Loading Sydney's latest big wet points to the long and short kicking games of Savala and Sam Walker, Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks potentially deciding their sides' top-eight hopes. So too Tedesco's trademark sniping around the ruck, especially if Tom Trbojevic is still confined to right centre when, at his best, he can match the Roosters No.1 scything through a middle defence. The temptation to try and put the Tricolours on his back is right there for Tedesco. 'It's a constant thing to work on,' he says. 'Over my career, around the ruck and around the middle of the field is where I've played most of my footy but there's lots of opportunities out wide. 'It's those combinations with the halves - Sammy Walker's come back in, Hugo's been out a couple of weeks but as a spine working together, that's what brings out my best footy. 'So I have to be clear with our spine on what our game plan is, but just getting my hands on the ball without too much thinking is when I play my best footy too.'
