Tom Trbojevic runs the show as Manly dismantle the Bulldogs

Tommy Trbojevic, or James Tedesco? If you had to pick the NRL’s best fullback right now it would be a split hair between these two.

Manly’s Tom Trbojevic dives over to score against the Bulldogs in a comfortable win for the Sea Eagles at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday night. Picture: Getty Images

Tommy Trbojevic, or James Tedesco? If you had to pick the NRL’s best fullback right now it would be a split hair between these two.

In the wake of Tedesco’s near-perfect performance in the Roosters’ win over Souths on Friday night, Trbojevic on Sunday night produced his own five-star effort as Manly humiliated Canterbury 32-6 to move into sixth place on the NRL ladder.

In the final game of the NRL’s reboot round, dewy conditions at Central Coast Stadium caused a lot of early dropped ball.

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But it was left to the flying Manly fullback to put some class into the night as Trbojevic helped hand the Bulldogs their worst start to a season since way back in 1996.

Trbojevic played a hand in five of the seven tries that included him scoring two and giving the final ball for three.

It was Manly’s second win of the season after beating the Roosters and sets up a mouth-watering showdown against the unbeaten Parramatta on Saturday.

At 23 Trbojevic is still a relative baby as far as his NRL career is concerned, which makes it hard to imagine just how good this bloke could become.

The way he returned from the shutdown would have had Manly fans at home out of their lounge chairs.

The giant fullback got his night started in just the fourth minute when he finished off some terrific lead-up work from Moses Suli, who used footwork and a fend to get into space.

Then midway through the half Tom crossed again coming off a beautiful ball from brother Jake from a lovely set play.

Tom then turned his attention to try assists as he threaded a hole for Brad Parker’s first try before the break.

At 14-0 the Dogs may as well have got on the bus back to Sydney.

But Trbojevic continued his onslaught, the next try to Jorge Taufua coming off superb long pass selection while Trbojevic later put Parker over for his double.

It was an impressive performance from the Sea Eagles who are really shaping up as one of the forces for this year’s title.

The halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Dylan Walker were also strong while the forwards all did their job with Jake Trbojevic, Curtis Sironen and Joel Thompson all having a big impact.

It must be painful for Dogs coach Dean Pay to watch. The effort from his team cannot be questioned but they just don’t have the experience in the halves without Kieran Foran to make the most of the energy this team puts in.

Once again Jack Cogger and Lachy Lewis busted their guts but they just lack the spit and polish of the top playmakers.

Foran was hoping to make his return from the shoulder injury he suffered playing for New Zealand last year in this game but he was ruled out.

Foran’s fitness will be crucial when the Dogs take on the Dragons next Monday given there is going to be plenty of pressure on both teams.

The Bulldogs haven’t started the season with three straight losses since 1996 and while effort isn’t a problem getting points on the board is.

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