‘Haven’t played enough’: Manly star ready for pay cut
Scott Bailey |
Tom Trbojevic says he expects to take a pay cut to stay at Manly, with the superstar fullback conceding he has not played enough football during his current six-year deal.
The Sea Eagles have opened talks with brothers Tom and Jake Trbojevic about extensions, with the fan favourites off contract after next year.
The pair’s current deals were signed in 2019, and are back-ended to the point where they will earn close to $2.3 million combined next year.
Tom Trbojevic has won the Dally M Medal during this contract with a blistering 2021 season, before being restricted to 54 games in the four seasons since amid injuries.
The 28-year-old also spent time at centre this year, but proved he can still be among the NRL’s best fullbacks by dominating the Dolphins on Saturday.
Manly’s No.1 had offered to take a pay cut last season to help the club’s cap after a run of injuries, but the request was blocked by the NRL.
Trbojevic said he had not yet been personally involved in the current negotiations, but that sentiment would likely factor into the talks over a two-year deal.
“That just comes from that I don’t want to let people down,” Trbojevic said.
“It’s what I value, and I know I’m paid very well and haven’t played enough footy to justify what I’ve been paid. So that’s where that came from.
“I’ll sit down at the end of the year and work all that out. I’m not really too focused on it right now.
“I understand I’m not going to be paid the same amount that I’m worth now.”
Jake has also previously conceded he faces a significant pay cut, with talks developing on a one-year deal before a third concussion for 2025 ended the lock’s season early.
“I’m not entirely sure where he’s at … I think he’ll go another year, but I don’t want to say anything,” Tom said.
“It’s obviously hard for him. But I think just sometimes that’s the way he plays.
“He obviously goes after the game defensively, and that happens. But he feels positive about it. He’s pulled up relatively well after this one.”
Tom Trbojevic’s signature in particular looms as crucial to Manly, following a year in which they will lose the club’s most-capped player, Daly Cherry-Evans.
Coach Anthony Seibold has also been under intense scrutiny with Manly in a fight to play finals, needing results to go their way over the final two rounds.
And Trbojevic has found himself at the centre of reports about having his own concerns over the direction of the club.
The fullback insisted on Wednesday he had a good relationship with Seibold, and was comfortable with the input he had in the team’s football.
“I want to win footy games and want to be playing finals footy,” Trbojevic said.
“I haven’t won a comp, that’s what I want to do. At the moment, we are not getting into a position to do that.
“But I’m not singling people out. Because I’m included. I haven’t played the best footy this year.
“I’m certainly not going out and talking to people and saying I’m not happy with the direction of the club.”
AAP
