NRL 2022: Jake Trbojevic opens up on Manly Sea Eagles saga and his future
Jake Trbojevic has finaly spoken publicly about the situation at Manly following Des Hasler’s sacking and what it means for his NRL future.
NRL
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Manly forward Jake Trbojevic has pledged his future to the Sea Eagles and admitted he was hurt by question marks over his loyalty to the club after breaking his silence on the sacking of coach Des Hasler.
Trbojevic, speaking expansively for the first time about the off-season ructions at Manly, also flatly denied suggestions of a broken relationship with Sea Eagles and Kangaroos teammate Daly Cherry-Evans and said he was looking forward to working with incoming coach Anthony Seibold.
Trbojevic has politely declined media interviews since leaving Australia as part of the Kangaroos squad at the World Cup, focusing his energies instead on fighting for a spot in a congested forward pack.
He finally relented on Monday morning (AEDT) as he uttered the words every Manly fan has been waiting to hear, insisting he and brother Tom were committed to the club.
“We definitely didn’t want to (leave) that didn’t come from us,” Trbojevic said.
“We love Manly and grew up in Manly and have another four years of contracts with Manly.
“It’s definitely hard at times seeing your loyalty get questioned when we’ve worked really hard and we want Manly to do well.
“(It hurts) a little bit, it’s a bit tough but it’s been great being here, don’t go on social media, don’t read anything and you just keep going on with your business.
“It’s probably been good being over here to be honest. It’s tough seeing it all happens and being away to focus on the Kangaroos and being part of this team.”
Even though he has been tucked away in the north of England, Trbojevic hasn’t been able to avoid the goings-on at Manly. Hasler’s sacking was the most significant change at the club, the two-time premiership winner shown the door with another year remaining on his contract.
“I felt sorry for him,” Trbojevic said,
“I’m a big fan of Des and I don’t think that’s any sort of secret. He’s been a really good coach for me for four years and I learned a lot off him and enjoyed playing under him.
“But I guess the club made the decision for a reason. We said last year wasn’t great. So we’re going to try and get better.
“Obviously the last seven games was frustrating. I think that’s frustrating for anyone, we’re in the mix there and we drop the last seven.
“That’s going to be frustrating for anyone you know. We really like Des so it’s hard seeing him go through the stuff. But you know, I’ve made a decision and it’s the way it is.
“So what can we do? We’ve got to move on and move forward to next year.”
Hasler’s departure means Seibold is set to make a return to Manly, having previously worked as an assistant at the club.
“In 2016 he was my assistant coach and he’s really good,” Trbojevic said.
“I really liked him, he’s a good guy who lives on the northern beaches. I’ve seen him around there a little bit and I really like working with him.
“He’s worked extremely hard. And I was even talking to the guys who have had him at Souths and Brisbane. He was really good so if he comes in, I’m looking forward to it.”
As Manly endured a turgid off-season, Trbojevic’s relationship with Cherry-Evans was dragged into the saga. There were suggestions that he and the Manly skipper were at odds.
Trbojevic was furious with the claims.
“That’s just silly,” he said.
“That was frustrating to hear. I don’t like seeing it, and I’m a really good friend of Daly’s. It’s tough to see and I try not to think about it, it is ridiculous.
“It was fine, it’s people making it awkward for us and it’s fine. We get on really well and had a great time over here and have been hanging out heaps. I don’t know where that comes from.”
He also hit back at claims the club was divided after the Pride jersey scandal.
“At first when it first happened I didn’t understand it,” Trbojevic said.
“I’m not religious. But like I’ve already said this — I didn’t understand it until we talked to (them). They have their view and I was fine with it.
“I understand their biggest thing is religion, my biggest thing is footy. The fact that we lost seven after has made people keep talking about it.
“Why are we going to dwell on it and let one game affect us moving forward? I don’t want to lose seven in a row, it sucks.”
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Originally published as NRL 2022: Jake Trbojevic opens up on Manly Sea Eagles saga and his future
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