Latest news with #Manly
Sydney Morning Herald
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
The grim stat which shows why Manly must move Tom Trbojevic back to fullback
'It's at that critical stage where Manly can't afford to drop many more games. Lehi holds his spot, he goes back to the wing, and Tom has to go 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.' Loading 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.
The Age
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
The grim stat which shows why Manly must move Tom Trbojevic back to fullback
'It's at that critical stage where Manly can't afford to drop many more games. Lehi holds his spot, he goes back to the wing, and Tom has to go 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.' Loading 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.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Trbojevic to stay at centre with knee all clear
Tom Trbojevic has revealed he expects to see out the season at centre, while downplaying knee concerns ahead of Manly's clash with the Sydney Roosters. One month into the fullback's shift out of the No.1 jersey, Manly suffered their first loss with Trbojevic in the centres in Sunday's 42-4 defeat to Canterbury. That has left the Sea Eagles likely needing four wins from six games, with crucial matches against fellow finals hopefuls the Roosters on Saturday night at Brookvale. Manly's defeat also prompted calls for Trbojevic to return to No.1, after his shift was initially considered a short-term sugar fix to help him regain confidence. Trbojevic has long maintained his preferred position is fullback, where he won the 2021 Dally M Medal and has been one of Manly's best players for the past decade. But the 28-year-old said he now expected to remain on the right edge for the rest of the year after being moved by coach Anthony Seibold. "My indication is that I will stay there," Trbojevic said. "I've moved there, so my focus is on being there and being the best version of myself there. "It's like anything. If you go move to do a different role in a job thinking you're not going to be there fulltime ... you're not going to perform the job well. "That's just my focus, I have to do it the best I can, that's all I can focus on." Since moving to centre against Wests Tigers last month, Trbojevic has been directly involved in nine of Manly's 15 tries, six of those when he roamed to the left, creating an extra number on that side. Lehi Hopoate, however, has not had as much impact at fullback, while Trbojevic's right side has been found out in defence at times. "I still feel like I have been able to do what I do best and that is move around the field and play footy," Trbojevic said. "It obviously wasn't our best performance on the weekend, mine included. I just have to reflect on that and get better and move forward. But feeling good." Trbojevic and his brothers Ben and Jake spent Tuesday visiting their old Mona Vale Public School, swamped by students ahead of NSW public education week. The trio inspected the school's goalposts that were built by their father, while Jake was labelled a teacher's pet, Ben the troublemaker and Tom the maths whiz. Tom and Jake were also quizzed about their contracts, adamant it was the furthest thing from their minds this late in the season as the pair's management close in on extensions for beyond next year. Tom also declared his right knee needed no serious examination, after he briefly stayed down following an awkward tackle late in Sunday's loss. "It was a bit ginger but I got up and felt all right which is good," Trbojevic said. "It feels good now and I was able to play the rest of the game."
News.com.au
17 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘I will stay there': Tom Trbojevic rules out fullback return, dismisses injury concern and responds to contract speculation
Sea Eagles superstar Tom Trbojevic has allayed any fears of a fresh injury and has confirmed all indications are that he will remain at right centre for the rest of the season as Manly looks to keep its finals hopes alive against the Roosters on Saturday night. On the same day that boom back-rower Haumole Olakau'atu suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, Manly fans held their breath as Trbojevic stayed down with a leg injury while being tackled during the loss to the Bulldogs. 'It was just a bit awkward and the knee started to tighten up a little bit. It was an awkward fall,' he said. 'I haven't actually watched it back but it looked a bit awkward. It was a bit ginger but I got up and felt all right, which is good. 'It feels good now and I was able to play the rest of the game.' There was a huge sense of relief at Allianz Stadium as he played on, with the former Dally M Medal winner moving as well as he has all year. Trbojevic set up his side's only try and had some strong carries but was found out defensively a couple of times in his new role in the centres. The Sea Eagles were 3-0 with him in that position before Sunday's loss, and he isn't expecting to return to fullback this year despite calls for him to move there, with Lehi Hopoate to remain in the No.1 jersey as they fight for a finals spot. 'My indication is that I will stay there, yes,' he replied at his former primary school ahead of NSW Public Education Week starting next Monday. 'I still feel like I have been able to do what I do best and that is move around the field and play footy. It obviously wasn't our best performance on the weekend, mine included. I just have to reflect on that and get better and move forward, but feeling good. 'It's just a different position, you have to learn new things. Obviously, defensively it's a lot different, but I just have to learn it. 'There are challenges in both of them. As a fullback, you have a bit more freedom. I have watched a lot of the game and I have played it before, so it's not something I'm too unfamiliar with. I just have to keep getting better. 'I've moved there, so my focus is on being there and being the best version of myself there. 'It's like anything, if you go move to do a different role in a job, if you're thinking I'm not going to be here full time, I'll move onto other things, then you're not going to perform the job well.' With his focus on performing well in his new role, Trbojevic has not paid any attention to speculation over his future. The rep star has another year to run on his deal, as does his brother, Jake, but the pair are in no rush to sign what appears to be an inevitable extension with the club they grew up supporting. 'That's not my focus at all,' Tom said. 'We've got six weeks left in the comp and that's where my focus is at. I'll sort that all out in the off-season, so I'm not focused on it.' Jake is also off contract at the end of 2026 and it seems a fait accompli that he'll sign a new deal to finish his career at Manly. 'We've got another year and a bit and I'm getting to the back end of my career, so it's not really a rush,' the veteran lock said. 'It's not like we're really going to go anywhere else, is it? 'We'll see how it plays out, but it's not a focus at all. Where we are at the moment in the season, we need to focus on playing well and getting some more wins. 'It'll all work itself out, so I'm not rushing.'
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Manly star's season over, won't play Pacific Cup
Haumole Olakau'atu won't play again this NRL season with Manly confirming the powerful second-rower will undergo surgery on his shoulder. Making his return from a dislocated right shoulder suffered six weeks earlier, Olakau'atu suffered the same injury in the Sea Eagles' 42-4 loss to Canterbury on Sunday. Manly had indicated a season-ending surgery was all but certain, before confirming on Monday the second-rower won't return until January. It means the NSW State of Origin representative will also be unavailable for Tonga in the end-of-season Pacific Championships, and miss part of next year's pre-season. Olakau'atu was hurt when make a seemingly innocuous tackle on Sunday, after suffering the initial injury while attempting to score a try against Gold Coast last month. "When you hurt your shoulder, I think there's around about a 90 per cent risk you'll do it again," Manly coach Anthony Seibold said on Sunday. "Obviously with a player of his quality and standing in our team, we wanted to pursue that risk. We didn't want to worry about next year." Olakau'atu's injury means he has played his last game alongside departing captain Daly Cherry-Evans, with the duo having formed a dangerous combination on Manly's right edge. Corey Waddell will likely come into the starting side for the crunch match against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday at Brookvale, with both teams fighting to play finals. Manly have extremely limited back-row depth, and opted to play winger Tommy Talau on the bench during Olakau'atu's last absence. Alternatively, Michael Chee Kam could be considered as an option, after not playing NRL at all this year. The Sea Eagles are already without forwards Josh Aloiai (shoulder) and Nathan Brown (bicep) for the rest of the season, while Taniela Paseka is fighting to return from an achilles tendon rupture in time for for finals. Meanwhile Canterbury are also counting the cost of Sunday's win, with fullback Connor Tracey suffering an abdominal tear. Tracey was injured in the Bulldogs' win, but managed to see out the game. Canterbury's reserve fullback Blake Taaffe is also sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Blake Wilson also has experience playing No.1. Alternatively, the Bulldogs could shift Jacob Kiraz or Stephen Crichton to fullback on Sunday against Wests Tigers, as part of a backline reshuffle. Haumole Olakau'atu won't play again this NRL season with Manly confirming the powerful second-rower will undergo surgery on his shoulder. Making his return from a dislocated right shoulder suffered six weeks earlier, Olakau'atu suffered the same injury in the Sea Eagles' 42-4 loss to Canterbury on Sunday. Manly had indicated a season-ending surgery was all but certain, before confirming on Monday the second-rower won't return until January. It means the NSW State of Origin representative will also be unavailable for Tonga in the end-of-season Pacific Championships, and miss part of next year's pre-season. Olakau'atu was hurt when make a seemingly innocuous tackle on Sunday, after suffering the initial injury while attempting to score a try against Gold Coast last month. "When you hurt your shoulder, I think there's around about a 90 per cent risk you'll do it again," Manly coach Anthony Seibold said on Sunday. "Obviously with a player of his quality and standing in our team, we wanted to pursue that risk. We didn't want to worry about next year." Olakau'atu's injury means he has played his last game alongside departing captain Daly Cherry-Evans, with the duo having formed a dangerous combination on Manly's right edge. Corey Waddell will likely come into the starting side for the crunch match against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday at Brookvale, with both teams fighting to play finals. Manly have extremely limited back-row depth, and opted to play winger Tommy Talau on the bench during Olakau'atu's last absence. Alternatively, Michael Chee Kam could be considered as an option, after not playing NRL at all this year. The Sea Eagles are already without forwards Josh Aloiai (shoulder) and Nathan Brown (bicep) for the rest of the season, while Taniela Paseka is fighting to return from an achilles tendon rupture in time for for finals. Meanwhile Canterbury are also counting the cost of Sunday's win, with fullback Connor Tracey suffering an abdominal tear. Tracey was injured in the Bulldogs' win, but managed to see out the game. Canterbury's reserve fullback Blake Taaffe is also sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Blake Wilson also has experience playing No.1. Alternatively, the Bulldogs could shift Jacob Kiraz or Stephen Crichton to fullback on Sunday against Wests Tigers, as part of a backline reshuffle. Haumole Olakau'atu won't play again this NRL season with Manly confirming the powerful second-rower will undergo surgery on his shoulder. Making his return from a dislocated right shoulder suffered six weeks earlier, Olakau'atu suffered the same injury in the Sea Eagles' 42-4 loss to Canterbury on Sunday. Manly had indicated a season-ending surgery was all but certain, before confirming on Monday the second-rower won't return until January. It means the NSW State of Origin representative will also be unavailable for Tonga in the end-of-season Pacific Championships, and miss part of next year's pre-season. Olakau'atu was hurt when make a seemingly innocuous tackle on Sunday, after suffering the initial injury while attempting to score a try against Gold Coast last month. "When you hurt your shoulder, I think there's around about a 90 per cent risk you'll do it again," Manly coach Anthony Seibold said on Sunday. "Obviously with a player of his quality and standing in our team, we wanted to pursue that risk. We didn't want to worry about next year." Olakau'atu's injury means he has played his last game alongside departing captain Daly Cherry-Evans, with the duo having formed a dangerous combination on Manly's right edge. Corey Waddell will likely come into the starting side for the crunch match against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday at Brookvale, with both teams fighting to play finals. Manly have extremely limited back-row depth, and opted to play winger Tommy Talau on the bench during Olakau'atu's last absence. Alternatively, Michael Chee Kam could be considered as an option, after not playing NRL at all this year. The Sea Eagles are already without forwards Josh Aloiai (shoulder) and Nathan Brown (bicep) for the rest of the season, while Taniela Paseka is fighting to return from an achilles tendon rupture in time for for finals. Meanwhile Canterbury are also counting the cost of Sunday's win, with fullback Connor Tracey suffering an abdominal tear. Tracey was injured in the Bulldogs' win, but managed to see out the game. Canterbury's reserve fullback Blake Taaffe is also sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Blake Wilson also has experience playing No.1. Alternatively, the Bulldogs could shift Jacob Kiraz or Stephen Crichton to fullback on Sunday against Wests Tigers, as part of a backline reshuffle.
