Tom Trbojevic will return to the NRL when the Sea Eagles take on the Cowboys in Townsville next weekend, the club has confirmed.
Trbojevic hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury against the Dolphins in round 10.
But his return won’t be at fullback – a brief statement from the club on Saturday said Trbojevic would be named in the centres when teams lists are released on Tuesday.
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Arguably one of the best fullbacks of the modern era, speculation had swirled about what Trbojevic’s future in the game looked like given his horror run with injury.
The move to centres is without doubt a move to take a load off Trbojevic and extend his career.
Lehi Hopoate has been Manly’s fullback for the past four matches and has performed admirably. Toluta’u Koula also played a game at fullback.
Coach Anthony Seibold said in May the pair had shared “a number of conversations” around what Trbojevic’s return might look like.
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Having debuted as Manly’s wingback in 2015, Trbojevic made the permanent switch to fullback midway through 2016 and has remained there ever since.
But while most of his club footy has been at fullback, all of his Origin appearances have been in the centres.
Seibold also said in May he was open to playing Trbojevic at five-eighth.
His return would also mean he has one game to impress before squads are announced for Origin III, although he’d be a rank outsider for selection.