Tom Trbojevic’s forced shift into the centres has been labelled “disrespectful” amid claims the Manly star isn’t happy with the switch and wasn’t properly consulted.
Trbojevic faced the media on Monday, confirming he would be named in the centres for this Friday’s must-win clash against the Tigers with young gun Lehi Hopoate to wear the No. 1 jersey. He said he isn’t sure if it will be a permanent switch going forward.
Coach Anthony Seibold told him about the move during the much-publicised Sea Eagles performance reviews last Monday.
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Speaking to journalist Brent Read at the Manly media opportunity, Trbojevic admitted his shock at Seibold’s call.
“Definitely, yeah (it was a shock),” Trbojevic said.
“Once you reflect on it, I don’t feel like I’m an unreasonable person where I’m entitled to this and that. So I get it and I’m still playing footy so I can’t really complain too much.”
“I’ve had many conversations in the past week with Seibs and the staff about it. I’ve come to terms with it and it’s about moving forward now.
“I’m happy to do what’s best for the team. I’m not bigger than the club or bigger than the Manly Sea Eagles.”
Read appeared on Monday night’s episode of NRL360 where he said it was clear to him that Trbojevic was “disappointed” with the decision.
“He was disappointed, there’s no doubt about that,” Read said.
“I don’t blame him for that. You’d be disappointed if he wasn’t disappointed.
“I think he found out at those mid-season reviews they had Monday last week. He was informed about it and then it came out in the media after that.
“There’s no doubt he’s not happy about this. You can tell by his demeanour (at the press conference).”
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Trbojevic has endured yet another season plagued with injury concerns. It’s clear he hasn’t been 100% for the past several weeks.
In turn, his form and the form of Manly has suffered. Despite boasting one of the most talented rosters in the NRL, the Sea Eagles sit outside the eight in 10th.
Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield says the Sea Eagles issues shouldn’t all fall on Trbojevic’s form at fullback, instead pointing to how ordinary the team has been as a whole since Daly Cherry-Evans’ public announcement back in March that he would leave the club at season’s end.
Rothfield criticised the decision to shift Trbojevic to the centres, given it wasn’t one Trbojevic and Seibold both agreed on
“I find this a bit disrespectful to the player. We’re talking about an all-time club legend,” Rothfield said on NRL360.
“To make such a dramatic move from wearing the No. 1 jersey he’s owned at that club for a long time, there needed to be a joint decision. It needed Turbo’s buy-in and I thought he’s earnt that buy-in to do it in a joint decision with Seibold.
“For such a big move, I think it’s disrespectful to the player. I’m not sure he’s on board with this.
“I know he’s missed a lot of games and had his struggles with fitness but you don’t think he’s earnt that? You need him on board.
“Manly since the DCE announcement has been playing like busteds … There’s a lot more going wrong at the footy club than Tom Turbo out the back.
“There’s no question that the move to the centres is a demotion.”
