Trbojevic centre move a short-term form fix

Scott Bailey | June 23, 2025

Manly plan to use Tom Trbojevic’s centre shift as a short-term booster, with CEO Tony Mestrov revealing the Sea Eagles intend to move him back to fullback.

Trbojevic trained at right centre for Manly on Monday morning, as part of a new-look backline that features Lehi Hopoate in the fullback role.

Under pressure after two poor losses, coach Anthony Seibold has dropped Jason Saab and will move Reuben Garrick out to the right wing against Wests Tigers on Friday.

Trbojevic conceded at a Manly Fast Ferry partnership announcement that his form had been down this year, with Hopoate impressing at No.1 while he was out injured.

But Mestrov also said that the intention was for the 2021 Dally M Medallist to return to fullback, where he is one of the NRL’s most dangerous players when fit.

“We’re just trying to get some hands on the ball for Tom and change it up a bit,” Mestrov told AAP.

“The idea is we just want him to regain his confidence and start playing again.

“There is no doubt he is one of the best fullbacks in the world and we will see him go back there. 

“They say a change is as a good as a holiday. I think it’s just to enact him, everyone knows what he can do.

“I’m pretty excited to see what he can do (at centre) … We’ve seen what he has done for Australia and NSW and what he can do. He will have the same roaming role.”

Trbojevic said in the pre-season he had given no thought to moving out of the No.1 jersey, having finished 2024 on a high.

The 28-year-old said it had also not been on his mind in recent weeks before this week’s move, after a year in which he has battled niggling injuries. 

“It (the move) wasn’t really on my mind, but the way that Lehi has been playing (made it easier) and I haven’t been playing my best footy,” Trbojevic said.

“I had a lot of input from the coaches, but we’ve got someone like Lehi there who’s very good at fullback.

“I’m not unfamiliar with playing centre, I’ve done it before.” added Trbojevic. “It’ll be a different challenge for me and one I’m excited for.

“I just love playing footy, and playing centre is something else on a footy field and it’s no different to me. I just have to go out there and give it a go.”

Trbojevic’s move comes after Seibold held seven-minute meetings with all players last week, highlighting areas they needed to improve.

Manly have a crucial fortnight ahead with home games against Wests Tigers and South Sydney after back-to-back losses to Newcastle and Gold Coast before a bye.

Trbojevic’s contract has also been a point of discussion, with the representative star reaffirming his stance on Monday that he never wants to play against Manly.

The local junior is off contract at the end of next year, with Manly keen to extend him before he would be able to be approached by other clubs on November 1.

Trbojevic has scored two hat-tricks when playing right centre for NSW, but has only played there once for Manly since 2017, on return from injury last year.

“It’s a different look, a different way to play footy and a different challenge,” Trbojevic said.

“There’s more of a defensive aspect to it in the front line, but you can make it your own world as well.

“You can play differently, and that’s what I enjoy about it.”