Tom Trobjevic has candidly revealed his disappointment at being shifted to centre as Manly looks to resolve his injury woes while also admitting he’s previously questioned his future in the game.
With the Sea Eagles currently 10th on the ladder, a loss to the Titans two weeks ago put the club in the spotlight.
Reports suggested Anthony Seibold is under pressure with Michael Ennis and Matt Ballin in the frame to take over one day, while Trbojevic had been shifted permanently from fullback to centre.
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Speaking on Nine’s 100% Footy, Trbojevic opened up on his reaction to the news he’d no longer be at the back.
“I’d be lying to say it wasn’t disappointing to hear that … I’ve played fullback for a long time at this club and I love playing that position but for now I’ve come to terms with it,” he said.
“I completely get where the decision’s coming from, having someone like Lehi (Hopoate) there who’s playing exceptional footy this year so I completely understand and I’m really excited for the opportunity to play centre this week.”
Tom Trbojevic. Nine
When asked by Paul Gallen whether it’s to limit his workload, Trbojevic agreed.
“I think that’s part of the decision, why they’ve come up with it. They obviously talked and thought about it as a coaching staff and that’s what they feel is best for the team and I’m happy to do what’s best for the team,” he said.
“I want to be back out there, playing good footy, winning footy games and playing at the back end of the year.”
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The decision to move Trbojevic came off the back of Seibold’s seven-minute meetings with each player, to which some didn’t take the feedback too kindly, according to reports.
The representative star implied those reports weren’t far from the mark.
“I think after any honesty session like that there’s going to be people not feeling too great about themselves, I’m included in that,” he said.
“Some things you hear from a coach you don’t love hearing but you need to hear them.
“I think everyone’s come to terms with what they’ve been told and now that’s about going and actioning it, that’s what you need to do.”
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During Trbojevic’s candid appearance, the 28-year-old was probed by Phil Gould about his mindset with persistent injuries and whether he’s thought about the finish line.
The Manly star did admit “you do start to question what you’re doing is right”.
“Every now and then (you think about retirement) but I still love playing footy, that’s what keeps me motivated, I want to be successful but you definitely have those thoughts,” he said.
Trbojevic then said “I’d like to think I’ve got a few more years in me” before Gould suggested he should have six or seven years left.
“I’d love to play six or seven years but I understand I haven’t quite been on the field enough to warrant saying that at the moment,” he said.
Among the series of questions Trbojevic was hit with, he was also asked about Daly Cherry-Evans and his impending departure from the club.
Much of the commentary around Cherry-Evans’ decision to leave has been linked with Manly’s form slump.
However, Trbojevic rejected that.
“Nothing to do with our performance, obviously I’ve played with Chez for a long time and a lot of people have at our club and when he informed us he’s not going to be there it was a little bit sad, a little bit disappointing because we love having Chez at our club,” he said.
“None of the reasons why we’re playing this way is because of that decision, everyone’s moved on, we’ve signed a new halfback (Jamal Fogarty) and we’re really focused on winning footy games.”
