Could Manly Sea Eagles star Tom Trbojevic make a permanent move to the centres? He thinks so

“I had a bit more of an opportunity to [roam].

“It kind of worked out that way. It wasn’t a plan for when it was going to happen, you just had to feel it. It was nice; it gives teams a different look.

“I attacked well, but there were a couple of defensive reads I’m not happy with. That’s just part of the game.

“The more you do it, the better you get.”

Trbojevic said he enjoyed the switch, “until I was upended by Jeral Skelton”. Skelton came in off the left wing and ironed out Trbojevic, which forced the ball free. The Tigers winger left the field for a head injury assessment, which he passed.

While Sea Eagles fans debate Trbojevic’s best position, skipper Daly Cherry-Evans kept everyone guessing about whether he will play on in 2026.

Cherry-Evans announced earlier this season he wanted to play on, but it would not be at Manly, the northern beaches club he has been at since 2011.

It has been widely reported Cherry-Evans will link with the Sydney Roosters next season, but the halfback was non-committal about whether he would even play on, admitting: “When I do make that announcement, it will be because it’s the best situation for me and my future.”

Trbojevic backed Cherry-Evans to play on into a 16th season, and was grateful the shift to centre had allowed him to combine with his skipper on the same edge.

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“I’m pretty confident he’ll be going on,” Trbojevic said. “I think he’ll go on – he’s playing well enough to do that – but I won’t make a decision for him.

“I’ve been comfortable with [the decision] since day dot.

“He doesn’t need to tell me if he’s doing this, or this is why he’s doing that. We’re here to play footy.

“I was shocked when I heard the news – I thought Cherry was going to be at this club his whole career – but we’re here to do a job.”

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