Questions are being raised over the Manly Sea Eagles’ role in the Tom Trbojevic pay cut story — and whether the club actually initiated the conversation.
It was reported earlier this week that Trbojevic approached the Sea Eagles and offered to take a pay cut of $750,000 over two years in an act of good faith after missing so much footy due to injuries.
The NRL 360 panel were shocked to hear the news, so much so Gorden Tallis questioned whether it was a joke on Monday night.
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The star fullback confirmed to the media on Tuesday that he had spoken to coach Anthony Seibold and the pair “explored a few options but it wasn’t to be” with the NRL rejecting Trbojevic’s offer.
Now, according to NRL 360 host Braith Anasta, there are rumours circling suggesting the Sea Eagles may have approached Trbojevic about taking a pay cut — not the other way around.
Tallis believes that is indeed what has happened because, as he explained, “otherwise you (Manly) say ‘no you’re not doing it’ and you don’t put it in (to the NRL). You say ‘no Tommy, we love you, you actually kept us in the game the other day. Injuries are a part of it’ don’t you?”
Journalist Paul Crawley hopes the rumours are not true.
“I’d be disappointed if the club did put that guilt trip on him because we all know what sort of character Tom Trbojevic is, he’s salt of the earth,” he said.
“If they did that, it’s the wrong thing to do. You don’t do that to your star player.”
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News Corp’s Dean Ritchie agreed, adding that Trbojevic has a “bit of a soft touch” but if the club were to approach him with a proposal “he would digest it.”
Ritchie also put it to Tallis and Anasta whether they ever considered doing the same as what Trbojevic has reportedly done.
“Maybe if it was a suspension and it was my fault, but injuries are part of the game… so no,” Tallis said.
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Anasta agreed.
“It’s depressing too (being injured). You want to be playing, you want to be helping your teammates, you feel guilty as it is being off the field,” he said.
“And your career doesn’t go forever… what if he gets a career-ending injury next year and he’s taken a pay cut to give to the club?”
Ultimately, after the NRL shut down the Manly’s submission, Trbojevic will earn the money he signed for — $1.1 million annually — which Tallis believes is a good thing because “it would just open up Pandora’s box” if it was approved.
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