Tom Trbojevic is prepared to spend the rest of the year in the centres, and is happy to adopt the NSW and Kangaroos blueprint where he can roam the field and attack from anywhere.
Manly triumphed 28-10 against an injury-hit Wests Tigers on Friday night, with Trbojevic setting up a try and having a hand in another in his first game at right centre.
While coach Anthony Seibold is happy to reassess what he does with Trbojevic after next weekend’s clash against South Sydney – and whether he reverts to his preferred fullback position at the expense of Lehi Hopoate – “Turbo″ knows he can be just as effective in the outside backs.
Just as he has done for NSW and Australia, Trbojevic was never going to play the traditional centre role, and roamed the field for Manly, even slotting in at second receiver a handful of times in the second half at 4 Pines Park.
Maybe it was the win, but Trbojevic appeared the happiest he had been in some time after the game when chatting with the media.
“If I’m at centre the rest of the year, then I’m at centre the rest of the year,” Trbojevic said.
“My focus isn’t to get confidence and then go back [to fullback]. I’m doing what’s best for the team now, and that’s playing centre. That’s my focus. I’m not thinking about what I’m doing in four weeks’ time, I’m thinking about right now.
“It’s enjoyable winning. I’m happy to play anywhere. I enjoy fullback, I enjoy playing centre. I haven’t played front row, but I’d probably enjoy that for a little bit. If we’re winning, I’m happy.
“I had a bit more of an opportunity to [roam].
“It kind of worked out that way. It wasn’t a plan for when it was going to happen, you just had to feel it. It was nice; it gives teams a different look.
“I attacked well, but there were a couple of defensive reads I’m not happy with. That’s just part of the game.
“The more you do it, the better you get.”
Trbojevic said he enjoyed the switch, “until I was upended by Jeral Skelton”. Skelton came in off the left wing and ironed out Trbojevic, which forced the ball free. The Tigers winger left the field for a head injury assessment, which he passed.
While Sea Eagles fans debate Trbojevic’s best position, skipper Daly Cherry-Evans kept everyone guessing about whether he will play on in 2026.
Cherry-Evans announced earlier this season he wanted to play on, but it would not be at Manly, the northern beaches club he has been at since 2011.
It has been widely reported Cherry-Evans will link with the Sydney Roosters next season, but the halfback was non-committal about whether he would even play on, admitting: “When I do make that announcement, it will be because it’s the best situation for me and my future.”
Trbojevic backed Cherry-Evans to play on into a 16th season, and was grateful the shift to centre had allowed him to combine with his skipper on the same edge.
“I’m pretty confident he’ll be going on,” Trbojevic said. “I think he’ll go on – he’s playing well enough to do that – but I won’t make a decision for him.
“I’ve been comfortable with [the decision] since day dot.
“He doesn’t need to tell me if he’s doing this, or this is why he’s doing that. We’re here to play footy.
“I was shocked when I heard the news – I thought Cherry was going to be at this club his whole career – but we’re here to do a job.”
