Manly Sea Eagles plotting $10 million deal to retain Tom and Jake Trbojevic

While their focus is solely on NSW’s State of Origin charge, The Daily Telegraph can reveal just how much securing Tom and Jake Trbojevic’s futures is worth to Manly.

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Manly have revved up an audacious plan to lock down NSW Origin brothers Tom and Jake Trbojevic to a $10 million package deal.

Less than 48 hours before the Origin decider, The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Eagles are in talks to re-sign their Blues brothers before rival clubs have a chance to poach them from November 1.

Insiders suggest Tom would be worth a little more than $1 million a season, while Jake would attract a touch under $1 million a year.

It is understood Manly are discussing four or five-year deals for both.

You’d have to say these two are worth the money. Image: AAP Image / Julian Andrews

The local juniors are off contract after next season but are on the open market from November 1 and Manly are desperate to lock them up before cashed-up rival clubs start to circle.

The Daily Telegraph understands Manly coach Des Hasler, who Tom and Jake respect enormously, is driving the negotiations with SFX Sports Group, which manages all three.

Manly co-owner and chairman Scott Penn has spoken of his desire to make the local juniors “one-club players”.

Tom’s sheer impact would make him a slightly higher earner. Image: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“They are an integral part of the club,” Penn said from New York, where he spends half the year on business.

“They are Manly juniors and we would love them to be one-club players.

“We will not be playing our strategy out in public but rest assured they will be treated with the respect they deserve.”

Jake and Tom enjoyed a weekend with family and friends on Sydney’s northern beaches before arriving back in NSW camp at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday night.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian gets to see the Blues in action. Image: Brett Costello

The Trbojevics and their teammates were joined by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Monday as she toured the Blues’ centre of excellence.

Ms Berejiklian met with Blues coach Brad Fittler and spent time with players David Klemmer and Cameron Murray in the gym before getting back to work.

Jake was man of the match in NSW’s series-levelling win against Queensland in Perth, while Tom scored three tries.

The Trbojevics have said they would accept less money to stay at Manly but the Sea Eagles know the brothers could be lured away by massive offers.

The brothers are willing to earn less to stay at Manly. Image: Brett Costello

One source close to the negotiations said: “They would only leave if a club paid way overs.

“If say a Parramatta or Canterbury offered $1.4 million a year for either, it would be difficult to say no.

“They don’t want to go anywhere but money talks. They are two players you could build a team around. A club like Canterbury would be desperate to sign them.”

There are also suggestions the pair may have to play for different clubs to maximise their earning capacity.

“You’ve got to look at everything, I guess, but we love playing together, so ideally you want to stay together,” Jake told Fox Sports.

“You never know what happens in footy. The Stewart brothers (Glenn and Brett), you wouldn’t have thought they would have to separate, but it’s the nature of the game with the salary cap and so on.

“Hopefully it doesn’t come to that. I’d love to stay there (at Manly). But we’ve got another year and a half, so I haven’t even thought about it really.”

Originally published as Manly Sea Eagles plotting $10 million deal to retain Tom and Jake Trbojevic