Tom Trbojevic will return for the Sea Eagles this weekend in a new position – but how long he stays there might be a different story.
After spending two months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, Manly’s marquee man will be named at centre for the side’s clash in round 18 against the Cowboys.
Trbojevic has been hampered by injury for a large portion of his NRL career, but at his best is one of the game’s most dynamic and entertaining stars.
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Manly officials have opted to bring Trbojevic back out wide as opposed to in the No.1 jumper, with rookie fullback Lehi Hopoate impressing in his recent absence.
However, according to NRL great Billy Slater, the 27-year-old could be thrown back into his preferred position when the finals period approaches.
”Anthony Seibold obviously feels that the centre position is a great starting point, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s nice and healthy a month before the finals, that he slips back into that fullback role,” he said on Nine’s The Billy Slater Podcast.
“He will get a few reps in the centres and he might even interchange with Lehi Hopoate at some stage throughout games.
“He’s a top-line fullback and player and you just want him involved in the game.”
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Trbojevic has spent the majority of his first grade career at fullback, but has dominated at State of Origin level for the Blues in the centres and is no stranger to the position.
And that’s exactly why coach Anthony Seibold doesn’t believe the move is a gamble.
“I suppose it is a big call and as everyone knows, Tom Trbojevic is one of the elite fullbacks,” he told 9News Sydney.
“What we’re trying to do – and it’s been a joint decision between myself and Turbo – is to keep him on the field and keep him in the game long-term as well.
“I don’t perceive it to be a risk, we’ve all seen him play at Origin level and excel as a centre. The risk is if we don’t move him and we keep doing the same thing.
“This isn’t gonna bullet proof Turbo, but if we keep doing the same thing, we’re gonna continue to get the same results. We’re not saying it’s a forever thing either … we just want Turbo to get out there and enjoy himself.”
His latest setback saw Trbojevic miss out on selection for NSW, but the current Queensland coach believes it will only help build his character in the long run.
”If you think that you get resilience from going through hard times, Tom Trbojevic and Ryan Papenhuyzen and those sorts of players are gonna be some sort of resilient human beings by the time they finish their NRL careers,” Slater said.
“We all know the person that Tom is and it’s great to see him back on the field.
“He’s had a horrid run with injury and I know what that feels like both physically and mentally, so I wish him all the best.”