Why Manly Sea Eagles must consider moving Tom Trbojevic from fullback to centres
Manly’s only consistency this season has been their inconsistency - and an injury-plagued Tom Trbojevic hasn’t helped. It’s why the Sea Eagles must consider pulling the trigger on a big move for the former Dally M winner, writes BRENT READ.
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Maybe it is time for Manly to think about the unthinkable. To consider moving Tom Trbojevic to the centres in a bid to rebuild his confidence and form.
With the luxury of Lehi Hopoate to return from concussion, and Manly in dire need of wins to arrest a mid-season form slump, the Sea Eagles can afford to go easy with Trbojevic as he works his way back to full fitness.
Perhaps the best way to do it is via the centres. Hopoate has been outstanding in the No.1 jersey since making his debut last season. He was brilliant against the Broncos only a few weeks back and while he is yet to reach the heights of Trbojevic, he has been a more than handy deputy.
Trbojevic, meanwhile, has struggled on his return from a corked thigh that cascaded into tightness in his hamstring. On his day, Trbojevic remains one of the best fullbacks in the game.
Maybe the very best. Not many have the ability to dictate a result like the Sea Eagles superstar. Those days have been reduced thanks to the injury woes that have plagued him in recent seasons.
It has taken a toll, both on his mind and his body. Maybe the best thing Manly can do is take Trbojevic out of the firing line for a few weeks. It is pretty clear the club has some big decisions to make given their form in recent weeks.
These are difficult days on Sydney’s northern beaches. The past fortnight has been one of abject disappointment. They have been brilliant against Brisbane and North Queensland and then ordinary against Newcastle and at their last start, the Gold Coast.
The only consistency in their season has been their inconsistency. No-one has been immune but Trbojevic and captain Daly Cherry-Evans have been the most visible because they are the highest profile stars on a team that should be going better.
Cherry-Evans’ form has oscillated from good to bad ever since he made the call to leave the club at the end of the season. It is understood despite his indifferent displays in recent weeks, there are no plans to drop him or to take the captaincy off him.
Neither do Manly have any interest in allowing him to leave before the June 30 deadline. Cherry-Evans still has the backing of coach Anthony Seibold, who has publicly endorsed his captain in the face of recent criticism.
Seibold has also backed Trbojevic amid his form slump. It would be a huge call to shift him to the centres and if Seibold decides to go down that path, you could bet it would be after heavy consultation with Trbojevic himself.
Tom is his own harshest critic. He knows his game and his body better than anyone. He is also one of the least selfish players in the game.
You only had to hear brother Jake speak to this masthead last week about the club to understand what Manly means to them.
The last thing they will do is hurt the club, even if it comes at their own expense.
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Originally published as Why Manly Sea Eagles must consider moving Tom Trbojevic from fullback to centres
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