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Tom Trbojevic's emphatic fullback statement as NRL fans all say same thing after Manly win

Turbo was at his brilliant best as the Sea Eagles dismantled the Newcastle Knights.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read

Tom Trbojevic has provided undeniably proof that he must be kept at fullback for Manly, after helping the Sea Eagles destroy Newcastle on Sunday. Trbojevic scored a try and laid on three try assists for teammates as Manly moved to seventh on the NRL ladder with a 44-6 win.

In his first game back at fullback since returning from a hamstring injury, Trbojevic ran for 185 metres from 22 carries and looked every bit the Turbo of old. Manly coach Anthony Seibold played Trbojevic at centre last week against the Cowboys and had been hoping to take some of the strain off his legs by moving him away from fullback.

Tom Trbojevic, pictured here in Manly's win over the Knights.
Tom Trbojevic scored a try (pictured) and had three try assists as Manly thrashed the Knights. Image: Getty/Channel 9

But with Tolu Koula out injured, Seibold had little choice but to move Trbojevic back to the No.1 jersey on Sunday. And he didn't disappoint, producing a stunning display that had fans and commentators saying he can't go back to centre when Manly are fully fit.

"I've always been a fullback, so of course it felt natural being back there," Trbojevic said after the game. "It's hard to see myself playing elsewhere, but I'm open to doing what's best for the team. I'm happy to do whatever."

Of the eight tries Manly scored on Sunday, four came when Trbojevic swung across to an edge and put a winger or centre into space. He set up another when he scooped up a ball on the half-volley and found Haumole Olakau'atu unmarked, putting the second-rower over untouched.

The No.1 scored a brilliant try of his own when he chased down a Luke Brooks bomb and leapt over opposite number Fletcher Sharpe to catch the ball and score. "He's an elite player," Seibold said of Trbojevic. "We came with a plan and the guys executed the plan really well. We wanted to use our weapons, which is Turbo (Trbojevic) ... and our speed."

Tom Trbojevic, pictured here after scoring a try in Manly's win over Newcastle.
Tom Trbojevic celebrates after scoring a try in Manly's win over Newcastle. Image: AAP

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Trbojevic tormented Newcastle's makeshift edges and tore apart the Knights' defence. With Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best and Dane Gagai on State of Origin duties, Newcastle struggled to threaten in attack and were never in the contest. In defence, the makeshift centres of Dylan Lucas and Thomas Cant were sitting ducks for Trbojevic - and he took full advantage.

Lehi Hopoate benefited with a double, while fellow outside backs Jason Saab, Reuben Garrick and Tommy Talau all crossed for tries. Hopoate had been playing fullback while Trbojevic was out, but showed he can capably handle playing on the flank as well.

The Knights are now in 10th spot on the ladder, two points outside the top-eight. "We can't let it define us, we need to pick ourselves up," coach Adam O'Brien said.

"I know we're going to lose games, but how we lose them and the fight has always been reasonably good. You would have to go back to (early) 2023 to really look at some really disappointing games. I don't believe that is who we are any more, but that's who we are tonight and we need to fix it."

The talking point amongst fans on social media was Trbojevic's performance. Comments were flying thick and fast about how it would be criminal for Manly to play him anywhere else but fullback, and can't afford to have him playing centre.

with AAP