By Christian Nicolussi
There were two burning questions being asked following Manly’s 28-10 win over the Wests Tigers at 4 Pines Park on Friday evening.
Tom Trbojevic makes a damn good centre, but how long will he remain there before he returns to the Sea Eagles No.1 jersey?
And when it comes to skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, when will he make a call on where he plays next year, if he does decide to go on at all?
Cherry-Evans refused to confirm after the much-needed win if he would even go around in 2026, despite most rival fans in the game believing he is a done deal at the Sydney Roosters.
“I’m probably not looking to make an announcement any time soon; we’ve spoken about it as a team, we definitely don’t feel it [my future] is a distraction,” Cherry-Evans said.
“I have a good understanding of what does and what doesn’t affect the group. I’m feeling pretty good about it all, to be honest.”
The Sea Eagles celebrate a Jason Saab try.Credit: Getty Images
Pressed on whether he had delayed his decision because of potential second-thoughts about playing on, Cherry-Evans said: “So we don’t go down a rabbit hole, I’ll clarify it one more time: I’ve made the decision so Manly were aware, and so I could afford myself the freedom to make a choice that was best for me next year.
“When I do make that announcement, it will be because it’s the best situation for me and my future.
“The most important thing is how we play this year. Based on all the reassurances I’ve got [from teammates], we’ll focus on one week at a time, and try to play finals this year.”
One thing Cherry-Evans is certain of is the joy he gets from playing on the same side of the field as Trbojevic.
Tom Trbojevic set up a try and had a hand in another in his move to the centres.Credit: Getty Images
The man known as ‘Turbo’ set up the first try, and drifted to the other side of the field at the end of a set early in the second half to help put Reuben Garrick over.
“He’s a world-class player, whenever he’s out there for us, he helps us, and he makes us a strong side,” Cherry-Evans said of Trbojevic.
“Obviously, it was very selfless for him to go out there tonight, and to play the way he did shows the person he is. He’s a great teammate and a good friend to a lot of us.”
Coach Anthony Seibold insisted moving Trbojevic was never any form of punishment, and could almost see the irony in people wanting him moved there the past 18 months in a bid to preserve his body, only for the same people to bemoan the positional switch when it did happen.
Seibold said Trbojevic would remain at right centre for the clash against South Sydney next Sunday – Old Boys’ day at Manly – before reassessing.
While the Sea Eagles celebrated a win, the Wests Tigers crashed to their sixth straight defeat – and have even bigger concerns over a head knock to Api Koroisau, and two players, Tallyn Da Silva and Heath Mason, being placed on report for a dangerous tackle and making contact with the referee respectively. Koroisau failed an HIA after getting his head in an awkward position while tackling Jazz Tevaga.
They also lost Jarome Luai the morning of the game after he was hospitalised with an infection, but Marshall said the five-eighth could have played had the game been in another “24 to 48 hours”, and there were no fears about Luai missing Origin III.
It remains to be seen if Da Silva is even at the club by Monday with four rivals chasing his signature before the transfer deadline closes. Manly is one of those clubs.
Tigers fans should be counting their lucky stars they did not lose Doueihi, who was their standout, and sparked their attack late in the second half. Doueihi remains off contract beyond this season, and based on his second-half cameo at 4 Pines Park, is worthy of an extension.
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