Manly confirm Tom Trbojevic will make his NRL return at centre as Sea Eagles look to end injury woes

Manly will take the plunge and move Tom Trbojevic from fullback to centre for next week’s clash with North Queensland in an effort to end the injury woes that have plagued the former Dally M winner.

Trbojevic has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury against the Dolphins seven weeks ago.

The 27-year old will make his return against the Cowboys but will play centre at NRL level for the first time in eight years as the Sea Eagles look to ease the load on Trbojevic’s body.

A possible move to centre had been mooted for Trbojevic for some time. His injury history in recent years has been extensive — Trbojevic missed much of last season with a pectoral problem and was sidelined for months in 2022 with a shoulder ailment.

His hamstrings have been of particular concern with Trbojevic suffering injuries in 2019, 2020, 2021 and the 2023 pre-season. All told, he has suffered six hamstring strains through his career.

“We have tried to be as objective as possible,” Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold said last week.

“We’ve looked at all the GPS data to see whether there is anything that is a real outlier with regards to the contrast or comparison between the two positions [fullback and centre],” Seibold said.

Trbojevic is no stranger to centre. He won the Wally Lewis Medal as best player in the State of Origin series in 2021 as part of a magical season where he also claimed Dally M honours as the NRL’s player of the year.

He’s also spent time at that position for Australia.

But moving away from fullback is a massive move for Seibold. Trbojevic has been the club’s first choice custodian since 2017 and has played his best football in that position.

Trbojevic was cleared to return after passing a fitness test on Saturday.

It remains to be seen who will take over at fullback for Manly. Rookie Lehi Hopoate has impressed at the position in recent weeks with his work rate and attacking timing, while centres Reuben Garrick and Tolu Koula have also spent time at the back.

Manly will face North Queensland in Townsville next Saturday night.