‘He’s going to be disappointed’: Tom Trbojevic on pipping Jake to Sea Eagles captaincy

3 months ago 21

One of the first messages of congratulations to the new Manly captain came from the previous one. Upon learning that Tom Trbojevic had been named the Sea Eagles skipper this week, Manly premiership winner Daly Cherry-Evans was quick to reach out.

Newly appointed Manly captain Tom Trbojevic.

“Yeah, he did actually, he sent me a message,” Trbojevic said.

“He just said it’s obviously a great honour and there’s nothing better than running out to a packed hill. I look forward to it.”

The announcement was a bittersweet moment for some members of the Trbojevic family. The other obvious contender for the role was older brother Jake, who had filled in capably when Cherry-Evans, who has now moved to the Roosters, was unavailable.

“I wouldn’t say it’s awkward by any means,” Trbojevic said.

“I think with Jake, that would have been something that he probably would have liked to do if you talked to him and he’s likely going to be disappointed about that.

“He’s really happy for me and happy that I get to do it, and then he gets to be alongside me while I do it.”

Jake Trbojevic will play under his brother Tom who was this week named as skipper of Manly.

Trbojevic has been handed the honour just a month after agreeing to a one-year contract extension. The star fullback, after months of strained negotiations, took a $400,000 pay cut to remain a one-club man.

But after failing to play up to expectations last season, the immediate focus is to return to finals football. Can Trbojevic, one of the most softly spoken of the game’s stars, be able to rip into his teammates when a spray is required? What will be his captaincy style?

“Dictator,” Trbojevic quipped, before adding he chipped his teammates “more than you think”.

‘I’m quite easygoing, but some things you pick up as a fullback you kind of need to be quite direct.’

Tom Trbojevic

“I’ll have a laugh and I’m quite easygoing, but some things you pick up as a fullback you kind of need to be quite direct with some of the things you say, so I’ve done a lot of that.”

While Trbojevic’s immediate future has been resolved, that of Jake is less certain. The former NSW captain suffered a spate of head knocks in quick succession last season, raising concerns about his longevity in the game.

Off contract at the end of next year, Sea Eagles officials have parked extension negotiations with Jake until they witness how he returns.

“The way he finished last year with his head was a little bit disappointing for him and it’s something that I guess he’s had to manage, but [that is] in the past, whatever it’s been,” Trbojevic said.

“But he feels good, he’s gonna obviously put it back into training, see where he’s at. I don’t think he’s made a decision on what he’s going to do post next year, but I feel like he’s got time to do that.”

The focus has now shifted to the future of several high-profile teammates. Reuben Garrick, off contract beyond next season, has attracted interest from several clubs including the Roosters, while Tolu Koula has an option in his favour for 2027.

In taking a pay cut, Trbojevic has made it easier for the club to retain the duo, although it’s unclear whether they will leave. “I’m not telling anyone to [take pay cuts as well],” Trbojevic said.

“I’m not so sure where they’re both at, but they’re both integral players and parts of our team, and we’d love to have them both here.”

As for Cherry-Evans, the veteran Roosters halfback will play against his former club for the first time in round four. “It just looked weird,” Trbojevic said of the sight of “DCE” in Roosters attire.

“It’ll probably be hyped-up week [when we clash], everyone will be talking about it, but this happens in the sport.”