Is Tom Trbojevic the man to replace Cherry-Evans in Manly halves?

The Manly Sea Eagles haven’t ruled out heading to market to replace Daly Cherry-Evans – but maybe the man they need is already at the club.

As Manly weighs up its options to replace Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves next season, Jake Trbojevic is unequivocal when asked whether his brother Tom could slot in at five-eighth and take control of the Sea Eagles.

“Definitely, definitely could,” Jake said.

“I know the defensive load will change and that sort of thing, but his skill and his knowledge of the game, he’s one of the smartest people you’ll ever meet in terms of rugby league, the way he reads the game, that sort of thing.

“He’d obviously have to work on the kicking because he hasn’t done that since Aussie rules in under 12s. But he definitely could (play five-eighth).

There’s a push to move Tom Trbojevic into the halves. Picture NRL Photos

“It’d take some work. It’s not going to just come, but we’ve got to have a whole off season. He’d do a great job. We’ve got other great options. Jake Arthur’s a great young player, good defensive player, really smart. Works extremely hard.

“So we’ve got some really good options and I think it’s exciting for us.”

The Sea Eagles haven’t ruled out heading to market to replace Cherry-Evans.

They have already spoken to Canberra half Jamal Fogarty, who has a clause in his deal with the Raiders that could mean he is free to move at the end of the season.

Other halves are on their radar but the most intriguing option is a move for Tom, which would mean that Lehi Hopoate takes over the No.1 jersey.

Lehi Hopoate would take over at fullback should Trbojevic move. Picture: Getty Images

Tom is understood to be open to the change but the final call will rest with coach Anthony Seibold, who conceded on Saturday that moving his superstar fullback was under consideration.

Told that some pundits had questioned whether his brother could take control of the Sea Eagles, Jake said: “You wouldn’t believe it? He half runs our team as it is with his voice. I don’t know who said that but they obviously don’t know he’s his involvement on our team, his impact on the way we play. So he definitely could.

“He definitely could with his voice and that sort of thing easily and he understands the game. So he definitely could.

“I think Tom’s just keen to do whatever suits his club, you know what I mean? We don’t like seeing the club go through tough times.

“If they want him to play six, he’ll do it. Obviously his the best position is fullback, I’m not going to hide from that. He’s a great fullback, right? But if that’s what’s best for the team, that’s what best moving forward, he will do it.”

Centre Reuben Garrick added: “He could handle any position on the field, Tom. He is a true professional.”

MANLY ENTER HAAS CHASE AS SEIBOLD OPENS UP ON DCE

Superstar Broncos prop Payne Haas has emerged as a potential target for Manly in the wake of Daly Cherry-Evans’ decision to quit the Sea Eagles at season’s end.

But while Manly have an interest in Haas, they won’t be making a formal play for his teammate Adam Reynolds, with the Sea Eagles to prioritise the pursuit of Canberra halfback Jamal Fogarty ahead of the Broncos skipper.

Manly have cash to spend following Cherry-Evans’ Brookvale bombshell and Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov says the club is targeting a marquee front-row signing for 2027 and beyond.

That brings Haas into the frame, with the Broncos enforcer off-contract at the end of 2026, meaning he is a free agent open to rival offers from November 1 this year.

Mestrov concedes it would be a near Mission Impossible task to convince Haas to leave the Broncos, but says the NSW Origin star is a player of interest if he chooses to test his value on the open market.

Manly are keen to add a big name middle forward to their roster. Picture: Getty Images

WE’RE LOOKING FOR A QUALITY FRONT-ROWER’

“We definitely would have some interest in Payne,” Mestrov said.

“We are looking to sign a middle forward in 2027 and you would be crazy not to consider Payne.

“In 2027, we will free up salary-cap money and we’re looking for a quality front-rower.”

Manly mentor Anthony Seibold has a history with Haas – he worked with the then 19-year-old rookie prop during his two-year coaching tenure at the Broncos in 2019-20.

The Sea Eagles are keen to bolster their front-row stocks in pursuit of their first premiership since 2011.

Manly’s key Tongan Test prop Taniela Paseka snapped his Achilles last week, leaving Siosiua Taukeiaho and Josh Aloiai to start up front in Sunday’s clash against the Eels at 4 Pines Park.

Haas is on $1.1 million this season at the Broncos and it would take an enormous offer from an NRL rival to convince the 119kg bookend to quit Brisbane.

“Payne is already on good money at the Broncos and you would have to pay even more to get him out of Brisbane,” Mestrov said.

“Without speaking for ‘Seibs’ (Seibold), he is the type of prop we would be looking at.

“We have a very fast backline, but Payne is definitely someone we would consider to help our forwards. He is one of the best props in the game.”

‘WHY WOULDN’T YOU WANT TO SIGN WITH MANLY?’

Mestrov confirmed Manly bosses had discussed a number of halfback options to replace Cherry-Evans, including Reynolds.

But he said the Sea Eagles won’t progress to making a formal offer for Reynolds, who turns 35 in July and is expected to either retire at season’s end or play one more season for the Broncos in 2026.

“We have a list of names and Adam Reynolds’ name was discussed when we were throwing up some options,” Mestrov said.

“But we won’t be making an offer for him. Adam has had a great career and I expect he will stay at the Broncos.

“We’re looking at a number of potential playmakers. Why wouldn’t you want to sign with Manly now when we are in a premiership window.”

Manly have ruled out making a play for Adam Reynolds. Picture: Getty Images

‘DOES HE WANT TO PLAY ON?’: SEIBOLD NOT SURE DCE WILL CONTINUE

Seibold says he believes that Daly Cherry-Evans does not have a contract done elsewhere for 2026.

Seibold has had to deal with a week of headlines following Cherry-Evans’ public announcement that he won’t be at the club beyond this season. The Manly mentor has backed Cherry-Evans to finish the year strongly and said he had no idea what his skipper will do next year.

“I feel Chez is very genuine with regards to him not knowing what he wants to do next,” Seibold said. “There are so many opinions, but at the end of the day, Chez needs to make the right decision. Does he want to play on? Next birthday he’s 37. Could he play on? I think he probably could, but only he can answer that.

“As a 36-year-old who has played 332 games for our club, he’s played Origin and for Australia, ultimately he gets to make that call.

“Of course people want to know, but I genuinely believe Chez hasn’t made a decision about what he wants to do.

“We’re three rounds into a 27-round season. I think he should be able to make a decision on what he wants to do in his own time. It’s a physical game.

(L-R) Anthony Seibold and Daly Cherry-Evans.

‘I’VE KNOWN ABOUT IT SINCE DECEMBER’

“People don’t understand the demands of the game get higher every year and you see that by the quality of the footy and the intensity of which the footy is being played.”

Seibold said the Manly side tried to bury the issue early in the week when Cherry-Evans addressed the playing group.

While those outside Manly were taken aback by the news, Seibold said he had come to terms with Cherry-Evans’ decision months ago.

“I’ve known about it since December,” Seibold said. “I’ve said it a number of times that both myself and Chez have had private conversations. Ultimately, it was his decision when he was going to announce this would be his last year.

“The club and Chez are at peace with his decision. I love working with Chez, I think he’s played some of the best footy of his career the last two-and-a-half seasons since I’ve been here, we’ve got a great opportunity this year to continue to improve as a team, and send Chez out in a manner he deserves. I want to enjoy the time I’ve got left with Chez.”

Originally published as Is Tom Trbojevic the man to replace Cherry-Evans in Manly halves?