It’s a familiar story for the Sea Eagles, with one man the key to their push for a premiership — Tom Trbojevic.
The 28-year-old played 20 games last season, nursing an AC joint injury through the finals while he also suffered a hamstring blow in Round 10 against the Dolphins.
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Upon his return in Round 18, he was eased back into the action in the centres, but that move only last one game before he shifted back to the No. 1 jersey he’s had personal success in.
Trbojevic won the 2021 Dally M Medal with one of the NRL’s finest individual campaigns, helping Manly to the preliminary finals that year, bowing out to the Rabbitohs.
But since then, it’s been a case of ‘what if’ for the Brookvale-based giants — but for many there’s an obvious solution.
In the past, teams have played hybrid fullbacks with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Anthony Minichiello sharing No. 1 duties at the Roosters.
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‘Mini’ did the heavy lifting, while Tuivasa-Sheck often attacked in try-scoring situations, with the odd-man out shifting to the wing.
The Sea Eagles saw Lehi Hopoate emerges the club’s first-choice replacement fullback in 2024, and now Joel Caine is urging Anthony Seibold to follow the Roosters’ lead.
“They are the capital of hybrids if they want to take it up,” Caine said on SEN’s Joel and Fletch.
“Lehi Hopoate is the bloke I want at the back, that bloke with run for 300 metres … he’s a gun. We’ve seen how Savage has come on, Ethan Strange has come on.
“Hopoate is going to come on, this kid is a superstar, throw him in the paddock.”
It’s a move that has been floated so much, the Sea Eagles publicly poured cold water on any switch, with Trbojevic adamant he is the man who should remain at the back.
The fact he finished fourth in the 2024 Dally M votes supports his opinion, but a damning statistic proves he needs to stay on the field.
“It is what it is. People are just doing their job, they can say what they want. It can get frustrating, but it is what it is,” Trbojevic said to reporters on Tuesday.
“I feel like the way I finished last year at fullback is some of the best footy I have played.
“I get a lot of confidence from that, and I really enjoyed the back end of that and hopefully I can start the year in the same way.”
Since the start of 2021, the Sea Eagles have won 36 of the 55 games he started in. Without him they’ve only taken wins from 15 of 46 games.
But still, Seibold remained adamant Trbojevic has what it takes the endure the rigours of the NRL’s week-to-week demands.
“He’s (Trbojevic) a great person to mentor people. Lehi is only 20, he is right at the very beginning,” Seibold said.
“He will eventually play fullback, but he is earning his stripes and will develop. But what better person to do that under than Turbo?”
However, Trbojevic isn’t the only star player who is battling with a potential change in his career.
Skipper and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has indicated he will once again play for Queensland if he’s performing at a level that earns him selection in the representative arena.
“Origin is just amazing, and for as long as I have the ability to perform there and keep going,” he told AAP.
However, league legend Brayn Fletcher isn’t so sure he should go around again for his state, instead stating he should focus on success in clubland.
“I suppose he owes Manly, they gave him that 10-year deal, that big contract. I feel now, he’s 35 or 36, he probably should owe Manly now,” he said on SEN.
Meanwhile, Fletcher also highlighted one player that could have a major impact on Manly’s title credentials in hooker Lachlan Croker.
The 28-year-old is set to return from a knee injury in Round 4, having spent more than three months on the sidelines in 2024 due to lingering concussion symptoms.
The former Roosters and Rabbitohs gun was of the belief Croker was the club’s unsung hero, and his direction from the ruck was sorely missed last season.
“I love watching him, because he’s tough. He can kick, he is a bit like Jake Friend for the Roosters in that he’s always cleaning up the mess,” Fletcher said.
“The fans don’t see that sort of stuff, but the coaching staff and his teammates do as well. He is about a month out.”
STRENGTH
Their spine.
When fully fit, the Sea Eagles’ spine shapes as one of the best in the competition.
With Tom Trbojevic at the back, with Luke Brooks and Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves, alongside work horse Lachlan Croker, it’s an impressive line-up.
Not only that, but they have contingency plans in place if injury strikes, with winger Lehi Hopoate able to shift into fullback if Trbojevic misses time.
WEAKNESS
Consistency.
On paper, the Sea Eagles have the side that can seriously contest for a premiership.
Unfortunately, they are prone to shooting themselves in the foot far too often and can often let themselves down with defensive lapses.
There were several games in 2024 that the Sea Eagles just threw away or played down to the standard of lower opposition.
If they can become a little more genuine and a little less complacent, this team is a live premiership threat.
IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR
Tolu Koula.
The speedy outside back was at his game-breaking best in Manly’s finals win over the Bulldogs last year.
Koula scored the matchwinning try, using sheer speed to shred through the Bulldogs’ defence.
He has a stack of ability and could become one of the best outside backs if he improves his consistency.
Five-eighth Luke Brooks believes Koula is set to enjoy a breakout season in 2025.
“I feel like Tolu Koula will be in for a big year. I’m on his edge, so he’ll be playing outside me, if I can get him some good ball we’ve seen how dangerous he is,” Brooks said on SEN.
“If you have a threat like him outside of me it pulls numbers off me, so I’ve got to find that balance of me running the ball but also getting him some good early ball.
THE UNLUCKY ONE
Tommy Talau.
Had a very good year for Manly in 2024 and was right in contention for a wing or centre spot to start the season but he is still recovering from an ankle injury.
Even before the injury setback though, it appeared he was the odd man out in the five-man race for the four outside back positions.
The strong competition for these spots is only a good thing for Sea Eagles fans, knowing there’s a class player like Talau waiting in the wings.
THE RISING STAR
PREDICTED FINISH:
ROUND 1 TEAM
1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Tolu Koula
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Lehi Hopoate
6. Luke Brooks
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Jazz Tevaga
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
11. Haumole Olakau’atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Jake Simpkin
15. Corey Waddell
16. Ethan Bullemor
17. Toafofoa Sipley
2025 squad: Aaron Schoupp (2025), Aitasi James (2025), Ben Trbojevic (2027), Clayton Faulalo (2025), Clayton Faulalo (2025), Daly Cherry-Evans (2025), Dean Matterson (2025), Ethan Bullemor (2025), Gordon Chan Kum Tong (2025), Haumole Olakau’atu (2031), Jakob Arthur (2025), Jake Simpkin (2026), Jake Trbojevic (2026), Jason Saab (2029), Jazz Tevaga (2025), Joey Walsh (2027), Josh Aloiai (2025), Lachlan Croker (2026), Lehi Hopoate (2027) Luke Brooks (2027), Michael Chee Kam (2025), Nathan Brown (2026) Raymond Vaega (2025), Reuben Garrick (2026), Sio Siua Taukeiaho (2025), Taniela Paseka (2029), Tom Trbojevic (2026), Toafofoa Sipley (2025), Tolutau Koula (2026, PO 2027), Tommy Talau (2025)
Development players: Caleb Navale (2025), D’Jazirhae ‘Mia’ Pua’avase (2025), Simione Laiafi (2025), Zaidas Muagututia (2025)
2025 gains: Joey Walsh (rugby union), Jazz Tevaga (Warriors), Siua Taukei’aho (Catalans), Michael Chee Kam (Rabbitohs), Chris Patolo (train and trial)
2025 losses: Karl Lawton (Cowboys), Jamie Humphreys (Rabbitohs), Jaxson Paulo (Cowboys), Aaron Woods (retired), Brad Parker (retired), Ben Condon (Leigh Leopards), Bailey Hodgson (Leigh Leopards)
Coach: Anthony Seibold (2027)
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