Wayne’s Turbo raid as ‘coffee shop’ rumour swirls

Wayne Bennett has been waiting in the wings for a monster signing and he’s wasted no time to make the most of Manly’s problems.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 23: Tom and Jake Trbojevic of Manly celebrate their win during the round 11 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Manly Sea Eagles at Bankwest Stadium, on May 23, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

It’s clear not all is well in Manly.

It spells trouble for the Sea Eagles, and opportunity for Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins, who have already leapt into action.

With Des Hasler in limbo, questions over Daly Cherry-Evans’ captaincy, and disharmony in the player group, reports have surfaced, suggesting the Trbojevic brothers — Tom and Jake — could reconsider their futures.

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“If I’m Manly, it’s Jake and Tommy who I’m getting into a room,” Braith Anasta said on NRL360 on Monday night. “They are the Manly Sea Eagles. They’re the heart and soul, and they’re who you build around.”

“Maybe not for long, Braith. They might be Dolphins soon,” Paul Kent responded.

The Origin stars are wanted up north. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

While Tom shot down the rumours in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, James Hooper reported the Dolphins have already made a call.

“Rival clubs don’t muck around,” Hooper said. “They read all the headlines over the course of the weekend, and of course it’s only natural the Dolphins are still building a roster, so they picked up the phone today and made an inquiry about the Turbo brothers.

“Who wouldn’t want to sign the Turbo brothers if they were available?”

Kent went one further, throwing out a wild rumour: “I got told today they met with Wayne Bennett in a coffee shop, but I don’t know if it’s true.

“I can’t verify that but I’ve had people see it. I rang the coffee shop and he won’t ring me back.”

With the Dolphins failing so far to land a marquee man, and Cameron Munster no sure thing, the Trbojevic brothers — or even just one — would represent a big win.

“They’ve got about $1.5m sitting there for a marquee man, and they’re trying to find a body to attach it to,” Kent said.

Originally published as Wayne’s Turbo raid as ‘coffee shop’ rumour swirls