‘Can’t answer that question’: Tom Trbojevic unsure whether centre switch is permanent

Tom Trbojevic is one of the greatest fullbacks in NRL history, but there’s a chance he never will play in the No.1 jersey again.

Sea Eagles superstar Tom Trbojevic has no idea whether his move to centre will be a permanent one or not with the former Dally M winner hinting that the call to move Lehi Hopoate to fullback came from the coaching staff and not from him.

Hopoate will start at fullback on Friday night as the Sea Eagles look to get their season back on track at home against the Wests Tigers, with Trbojevic to play just his second club game at centre since the start of 2017.

Trbojevic’s yardage has been solid in recent weeks, but he’s broken just five tackles in his past six games after busting 83 in 20 matches last season and hasn’t been able to accelerate like he has in the past.

Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has made the call to move Hopoate to the back where he’s excelled whenever he’s had to fill in, with Trbojevic to move to right centre.

The move comes a week after Seibold held meetings with every squad member, with several changes expected to be made to spark the team into life.

Tom Trbojevic hasn’t been at his explosive best and will move to right centre this week. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“I had a lot of input from the coaches, but we’ve got someone like Lehi there who’s very good at fullback,” Trbojevic said on Monday as the club announced a new commercial partnership with Manly Fast Ferries.

“I’m not unfamiliar with playing centre, I’ve done it before. It’ll be a different challenge for me and one I’m excited for.

“It (the move) wasn’t really on my mind, but the way that Lehi has been playing (made it easier) and I haven’t been playing my best footy.

“It is what it is. I just love playing footy, and playing centre is something else on a footy field and it’s no different to me. I just have to go out there and give it a go.”

Trbojevic is one of the best fullbacks of the modern era but has been plagued by injuries either side of his incredible 2021 season where he claimed the Dally M Medal.

He’s dealt with hamstring and knee injuries for the past few years, with a corked thigh keeping him out for a couple of weeks earlier this season before he returned in round 15.

Trbojevic has battled a number of injuries this season.Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“I actually feel really good,” he declared.

“It hasn’t been the most consistent year for myself, missing a few games here and there with different injuries, but I came back from the recent one last weekend and I felt good out there.

“There was a cork issue there that was bleeding and causing a few issues. There wasn’t any protection or anything like that (from the club to lie about it).”

The move to centre has been mooted for a while, with plenty of former players encouraging him to shift to a position that will put less stress on his body.

Trbojevic doesn’t know whether or not his days at fullback are over, but he is excited to return to centre where he has carved up for Australia and NSW, including two hat-tricks for the Blues where he roamed on both sides of the field.

“I honestly can’t answer that question and I don’t need to because that’s not really my focus long-term,” he replied when asked if the move is permanent, with ‘Turbo’ struggling in the role in his lone game there against the Cowboys last year.

“My focus is on this week and we’ve got to turn our form around against the Tigers. That’s what my focus will be.

“It’s a different look, a different way to play footy and a different challenge. There’s more of a defensive aspect to it in the front line, but you can make it your own world as well.

“You can play differently, and that’s what I enjoy about it. It’s different (to fullback) because there’s a lot more accel and decel work as a centre, and there are a lot more high-speed efforts at fullback.

“It’s different, but it’s one that I have to get used to.”

Lehi Hopoate has been brilliant when he’s filled in at fullback. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Trbojevic is in no rush to sign a new deal before November 1, with the local junior off contract at the end of 2026.

He suggested in a recent interview that he’d rather move to England than have to play against Manly, and that stance hasn’t changed.

“There’s no expectation from me (to get it done soon),” he said.

“It’s not even close to the forefront of my focus. I need to play some good footy for the club and get us back to where we need to be.

“I think I got asked something along the lines of whether I’d go to a different club than Manly, and I can say in front of you now that I wouldn’t even consider it at the moment.

“I love playing for the club. I’ve got two brothers here that I play with as well that I wouldn’t want to play against.

“I’ve got another year and a half here so it’s not really a worry at all because I love playing for this club.”

Originally published as ‘Can’t answer that question’: Tom Trbojevic unsure whether centre switch is permanent