NRL Finals 2021: Tom Trbojevic could soon become Manly’s number one number one

‘To think he won‘t overtake any of us would be silly’. Manly have produced some brilliant fullbacks in their time but the number one number one just might be playing for them now.

Legendary Sea Eagle Brett Stewart has predicted he and champion Graham Eadie will be surpassed by a rampant Tom Trbojevic as the greatest fullback in Manly history.

Turbo is ready to become Manly’s number one number one.

And Stewart then claimed Trbojevic still hadn’t reached his potential, labelling that prospect “very scary”.

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Tom Trbojevic has enjoyed a season for the ages with Manly.

Stewart’s high praise comes as Eadie labelled Trbojevic “brilliant and unbelievable” with former Manly premiership-winning fullback Matthew Ridge stating: “Tom is the best rugby league player in the world.”

Trbojevic, 24, will continue his stunning season by spearheading Manly against Melbourne in the opening game of this year’s NRL’s final series.

Manly fans continue to debate and dissect who is their greatest fullback – ‘Wombat’ Eadie, ‘Snake’ Stewart or ‘Turbo’ Trbojevic?

“I hate comparing eras but if Tom keeps going the way he is, he will outweigh me, ‘Wombat’ and any other player who has worn the Manly number one jumper,” Stewart said.

“To think that he won‘t overtake any of us, if he keeps going the way he is, would be silly. I hope he breaks every record. You just sit back and admire what he does.

Brett Stewart helped inspire Manly’s premiership run in 2008.

“And the funny thing is I don‘t think we have yet seen his best footy. His best is yet to come, which is very scary. You’d like to think he would reach his peak in the next year or two. He has only played 15 games this season - that’s half a season.

“People keep saying it looks like he is playing against boys. He is still a boy himself. A lot of people try to compare me and him but I am his biggest fan. If I can help along the way then I‘d love to.

“It‘s finally great to see him string a few games together injury-free and we’re now seeing the best out of him. Melbourne will put that extra defender on the side where Tommy is so hopefully the boys can outsmart that. Turbo will have to play very smart.”

Eadie won four grand finals at Brookvale, a player ranked 25 by the NRL in a top 100 list released in 2008.

“Tom is probably one of the greatest now and he can only get better. If he stays injury-free, who knows what he is going to do and what records he will break,” Eadie said.

Graham Eadie played 12 seasons with the Sea Eagles.

“He has been brilliant, unbelievable. He is everywhere, he does everything. Every year he seems to be getting better. Semi-final football is different and this is where you’re good players stand up.

“I think Manly can win but it’s going to be difficult to go past Melbourne or Penrith. But if their forwards go forward then Tommy will lead from the front, that’s for sure.”

Ridge, a wonderful Manly fullback, was part of the club’s 1996 grand final win over St George.

“Tom is the best rugby league player in the world at the moment,” Ridge said. “If he can continue that form then I reckon Manly will give it a real shake this year. They will give Melbourne a real hurry-up.

“You don’t win a premiership unless you’ve got a bloody good fullback. To score 25 tries in 15 games is outstanding. He has been playing some unbelievable football. Tom is hitting his prime. Manly have always been pretty hard-headed once they make the semi-finals.

Matthew Ridge was part of the 1996 premiership win.

“Manly are paying $7.50 – I reckon that’s a pretty good bet. They are hitting their straps at the right time and will give it a good shake.”

Manly coach Des Hasler also lauded Trbojevic on Thursday.

“Tom is really excited about playing semi-final football. He’s been playing great football all year and that’s something he can build on,” Hasler said.

“He’s had an amazing year. You look at players who have captured the imagination, that’s a real accolade for Tom, that’s what he does.

“And it’s the way he goes about it, you’ve met him, he carries himself so well. He deserves everything that comes his way. But we have to be careful. Tom is still on his journey.”

Storm coach Craig Bellamy added: “He is the form player in the competition at the moment. We all know what he can do. You’re not going to stop it but you can try and reduce that effectiveness as much as possible.” 

NRL’s new entertainers cashing in on stunning form

They were once the club we used to hate but rugby league has fallen in love with the soaring Sea Eagles.

Unrestrained and unshackled, Manly has captivated and fascinated the NRL — and News Corp has data to prove it.

It’s no coincidence that Manly’s surge into the finals has helped the club secure a multi-year major sponsorship deal worth about $5m.

The club has attracted roaring television ratings through their swashbuckling style along with spikes in sponsorship, membership and social media.

They may not admit it to their anti-Manly mates, but footy fans are thriving on the once deplored Silvertails’ adventurous approach.

Tom Trbojevic’s stunning form has made the Sea Eagles must-see TV this season. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Manly’s free-to-air and pay TV broadcasting ratings skyrocketed during their surge into the top four with fans mesmerised by a team that has scored a record-breaking 28 tries from inside their own half since the irrepressible Tom Trbojevic returned from injury in round six.

The Sea Eagles’ game against North Queensland last weekend recorded an 11.1 per cent television ratings increase (290,000 viewers on Fox) on the corresponding game in 2019. There wasn’t a round 25 match last year due to a Covid-shortened season.

In round 23, Manly’s game against Canberra jumped a staggering 33.9 per cent (257,000 viewers on Fox) on the same match in 2019. The week before, Manly’s match against Parramatta (387,119 on Nine, 266,000 on Fox) was up 8.7 per cent, while in round 21, the Manly v Melbourne clash had a remarkable 26.8 per cent spike (403,945 on Nine, 269,000 on Fox) from the corresponding game in 2019.

And here is the reason why.

Just last week, Trbojevic finished off the try-of-the-year, an 80th minute movement against North Queensland which travelled 149 metres, according to GPS and game statistics data.

Collectively, Trbojevic, Reuben Garrick and Daly Cherry-Evans covered 429m during the play, Garrick running for 185 metres while attaining a maximum speed of 34.0 km/hr. It was breathtaking.

Since Trbojevic returned in round six, Manly has scored 122 tries – the most of any club during that period. Manly scored more than double Newcastle and Canterbury in that time. And, amazingly, 23 per cent of those Manly tries have started from inside their own half.

How could you dislike this team?

“We’re definitely playing a very entertaining, attacking brand of footy and that has caught the attention of both traditional and new fans to the game and Manly. The brand of footy is quite compelling,” Manly CEO Stephen Humphreys said.

“I’ve got lots of friends of mine who sent me messages saying they never thought they’d see the day when they are really looking forward to watching Manly play, which is terrific.

Manly winger Reuben Garrick set a record for points in a season in 2021. Picture: AAP Image

“Manly was so successful in the past and I think most of us were envious of their ability to attract the best players. They had a real feeling and success and resolve about them. Over time, people have softened a bit to that and are now attracted to the footy we’re playing.

“We are thrilled at the opportunity we have created this year and I know the boys are totally focused on capitalising on that over the next few weeks. We also look forward with real confidence and expectation.”

Punters are also flocking to Manly, according to TAB.

Manly blew out to $34, $41, $67 and eventually $101 in round four, according to TAB. Now they are third favourites at $7. The Sea Eagles hold 13 per cent of the premiership market.

“When you joined Manly, the club’s godfather, ‘Arko’, (former secretary Ken Arthurson) had the same message to every player – get used to being hated by opposition fans who are jealous of our success. Manly fans see it as a badge of honour,” former premiership-winning forward and life member Peter Peters said.

“But I’m not surprised about the love coming our way now because Manly is the most entertaining side in the premiership by a long way.”

Early indications suggest Manly’s membership will enjoy a healthy surge next season. The club secured 12,000 members this year but are forecasting 15,000 for 2022 — a 20 per cent increase. The club will kickstart its membership drive on Wednesday.

Digitally, Manly has recorded a 90 per cent increase in website users with more than 1.1 million visits to the club website in 2021. The club has posted a significant spike in its younger audience on Instagram.

Manly’s free-flowing style of play has won over plenty of fans. Picture: Glenn Hunt/Getty Images

Manly’s new major sponsor is expected to be announced in coming weeks after existing partners United Resource Management (URM), Shaw and Partners Financial Services, 4 Pines Brewing Co, Poche Indigenous Health Network, TripADeal and Industree Group having recommitted to multi-year deals.

“After the start to the season that Manly had, their transformation has been nothing short of amazing,” NRL head of football elite competitions Graham Annesley said.

“Whilst all the teams in the finals are playing high-quality football, Manly has been slowly building over the course of the year. And their form of late has been not only high-quality but wonderful to watch as well.”