NRL 2022: Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic reveals how he intends staying ahead of the pack

Ahead of the new season, NRL superstar Tom Trbojevic has spoken about the pressure of being the game’s premier player while claiming it ‘unfair’ to label Manly a one-man team.

NRL superstar Tom Trbojevic has spoken about the pressure of being rugby league’s premier player while claiming it “unfair” to label Manly a one-man team.

And in a one-on-one interview with News Corp, Trbojevic has also given a rare insight into his mental approach to rugby league.

The reigning Dally M Medalist, Trbojevic also dismissed the possibility he may have lost his hunger after a stunning individual season in 2021.

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Tom Trbojevic aims to make the 2022 season even better than his standout one in 2021.

“You don’t lose your hunger. I’m a very competitive person and I just want to be successful. I love winning games and I love being the best I can be. I want to keep getting better – that drives me,” he said.

“The pressure comes with what we do. We are in an industry where you have to win games to silence everyone and release those pressures.

“I lot of people in this industry have that (mental toughness), that’s why they’re here. You’re competing against the best of the best. You’ve got to keep finding ways to improve.

“You can’t rest on your laurels, you’ve got to keep getting better and find ways where you can help out your team more.

“You want to keep being successful, keep winning footy games and keep playing good footy. That’s not going to change this year. I love playing the game, I love representing Manly, our local team, and I love this club.”

Trbojevic capped off an amazing 2021 season by winning the Dally M.

Many claim Manly’s season rests on the brilliant Trbojevic. It is a statement which frustrates the Sea Eagles champion.

“That’s definitely unfair to say it’s down to me,” he said.

“There are a lot of very good footy players in this team and there are a lot of variables that go into us winning games.

“We have had some tough years (previously) and that just drives you to keep getting better. I enjoyed the thrill of last year but we still have to get better to beat those top sides.

“Everyone wants to get better and that’s what we’re here to do. I just know what I can do within this team, as does everyone else, and hopefully we can show everyone.”

The Manly superstar was the star of last year’s Origin series.

Trbojevic is primed for another stellar season after a solid off-season. His injury troubles of the past seem to have stayed just there – in the past.

The Manly junior knows he will again be scrutinised personally this season – but wants to be judged in a team, not individually.

“Obviously you get judged on individual performances but we want to get better as a team. I’m not looking at it as an individual,” he said.

“You obviously want to play well but you want to win and if you’re winning games, that’s what we’re ultimately here to do. It’s not about me individually reaching those heights again – it’s about us winning footy games.”

Asked how Tom could possibly become better after last year’s heroics, brother Jake said: “How do you get better? Just be consistent and keep improving, I guess.

Trbojevic has high hopes for Manly in 2022.

“He was consistent last year but he will keep building on that.”

Meanwhile, Manly will be without injured players Haumole Olakau’atu (forearm) and Dylan Walker (ankle) for the NRL season-opener against Penrith at BlueBet Stadium on Thursday, March 10. Prop Marty Taupau (back) will be monitored this week.

“Haumole and Dylan will be non-starters,” Manly coach Des Hasler told The Big Sports Weekend radio show.

“Marty will be assessed. He might be an outside chance.”

Triple threat: Young Trbojevic ready to make his mark

He is the little brother of two NRL champions but Ben Trbojevic has vowed to stand on his own, declaring: “I don’t want to live off Tom and Jake”.

“Ben wants to be remembered for who he is,” Tom added. “I guess there might be a little bit of extra expectation there which could be hard.”

Ben, 20, continues his rise through the rugby league ranks despite the added pressure of having Trbojevic as his surname.

He rejoices in Tom and Jake’s extraordinary success but wants it known that he is Ben Trbojevic – not Tom and Jake’s little brother.

Ben has been named in an extended Manly squad for Friday night’s trial match against Canberra in Gosford after he secured valuable minutes against Wests Tigers last weekend.

Jake, Tom and Ben Trbojevic are raring to go for the new NRL season. Picture: Toby Zerna

He debuted off the bench in round 12 against Newcastle last season and played four NRL matches in 2021 along with four NSW Cup matches as a second-rower.

The expectation on Ben – given his bloodlines – will be heavy but he wants to take his own path and chase his own success.

“I want to try and be my own player and create my own name for myself,” Ben said. “I don’t want to live off them. That’s important to me as a player and person, definitely both.

“It’s obviously cool what they’re doing but I want to be my own person. You have to make a good name for yourself. Hopefully I can have another good year and I can start doing that. I try not to think about it too much and put pressure on myself.”

Tom stressed Ben deserved to be viewed and scrutinised as his own man, not someone else’s brother.

“Ben wants to be himself and be remembered for who he is,” Tom said. “Everyone is different and we’re all very lucky to be brothers playing in the same team.”

Asked if it was unfair that Ben was known as he and Jake’s little brother, Tom said: “I don’t really think of it like that and neither does he. We don’t say that.

“Ben is a level (headed) kid and he deals with it pretty well. I don’t think that will change. I guess there might be a little bit of extra expectation there which could be hard.

“He has been training really well and he’s not far off. He played a few (NRL) games last year. He will have to wait around for his opportunity, play well in the NSW Cup and when he gets a chance, take it.

Ben Trbojevic played four NRL matches for the Sea Eagles last season. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“It’s massive to be here with my brothers. We are very lucky to do this together and we all love the game. It’s great to play at this level so to do it alongside your brothers makes it all the more special.”

Tom and Jake are nurturing and guiding their brother through the rigours of NRL.

“He is ready to go if called upon but we have a few good players in front of him,” Jake said. “He has had a good off-season and will bide his time.

“Hopefully he will go and play well in reserve grade and hopefully he might get an opportunity throughout the year. He will do his best, enjoy himself and continue to learn, that is the best thing. We have great coaches and they will only help him improve.

“The big focus for us through the off-season was defence and that’s something Ben has been working on, everyone has been working on.”

Ben claims he will be ready for NRL when given the call-up.

“If it comes then I think I’m ready,” Ben said. “It’s been a tough pre-season and we have all put in a lot of hard work so, if the call comes, I believe I’m ready.

“I have done a lot of tough training, I’m another year older and have had another year under Des (Hasler) getting more experience.

“I just want to keep improving my game. It’s a good team to be in.

“Tom is always giving me advice on and off the field. I always talk to him after games about where I can improve. Jake also helps me with things like diet, hydration, simple stuff, helping me get a good routine.”

Manly has completed another physically gruelling off-season under coach Hasler.

“Any off-season under big Dessie is tough so it’s nice to see the back-end of it,” Jake said. “Last year was successful but it would have been nice to go a little bit further. To make the top four and the preliminary final was pretty good … but I don’t want to put too much pressure on us.”

Tom added: “I’m keen to build on last year and see where we can go as a team. We were one game off a grand final last year and we want to be playing in those big games. It’s another challenge.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic reveals how he intends staying ahead of the pack