Manly’s Jake Trbojevic says he and star sibling Tom are committed to lifting the Sea Eagles out of their malaise and that the club must move on from the Pride jersey saga that set Des Hasler’s sacking in motion.
As passionate as players come, Trbojevic confirmed his frustrations with Manly’s disastrous end to 2022 and the damaging fall-out that followed in his first interview since Hasler’s dismissal three weeks ago.
Tom Trbojevic met with his management in the wake of that decision amid mounting concern with Manly’s infighting, though Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov has been in regular contact with the local juniors and dismissed any suggestions of a release being sought.
Jake Trbojevic was emphatic when that was put to him in Kangaroos camp, offering similar short shrift to reports of a strained relationship between he and Daly Cherry-Evans as well.
“We definitely didn’t want to [leave] – that didn’t come from us,” Trbojevic said.
“We love Manly and grew up in Manly and have another four years on our contracts with Manly.
“It’s definitely hard at times seeing your loyalty get questioned when we’ve worked really hard and we want Manly to do well. We’re two pretty passionate guys and that’s pretty tough.
“Obviously, the last seven games were frustrating. I think that’s frustrating for anyone – we’re in the (finals) mix there and we dropped the last seven.
“We really like Des, so it’s hard seeing him go through the stuff. He’s been a really good coach for me for four years and I learned a lot off him and enjoyed playing under him … but I guess the club made the decision for a reason. So what can we do?
“Hopefully, we can turn it around. Last year wasn’t great and stuff is going to happen if you don’t make the finals.”
Between them, the Trbojevic brothers and Cherry-Evans account for more than $3 million of Manly’s salary cap, with reports of a falling out between Cherry-Evans and Jake buffeting the trio at season’s end.
“That was frustrating to hear,” Trbojevic said.
“I don’t like seeing [those reports], and I’m a really good friend of Daly’s. It’s tough to see and I try not to think about it – it is ridiculous.
“It was fine – it’s people making it awkward for us and it’s fine. We get on really well and have had a great time over here.”
Trbojevic lauded incoming coach Anthony Seibold’s contribution as Sea Eagles assistant coach in 2016, and said he had received similar feedback from Rabbitohs and Broncos players since.
The club’s contentious Pride jersey saga still lingers, and shapes as one of many serious challenges for Seibold when he takes charge once his current commitment as a defence coach with the English national rugby union side wrap up in mid-November.
While Manly shielded the seven players who sat out wearing the ‘Everyone in League’ kit from the media, the World Cup has seen the likes of Josh Aloiai, Tolutau Koula and Haumole Olakau’atu each questioned on the saga since.
Aloiai has indicated he would be prepared to forfeit another game should Manly push ahead with plans to wear an inclusive jersey again.
Trbojevic insisted he had long moved on after talking to his teammates about their stance and said Manly as a club now have little choice but to do the same.
“At first when it first happened I didn’t understand it,” he said.
“I’m not religious, but like I’ve already said, I didn’t understand it until we talked to them. They have their view and I was fine with it. I understand their biggest thing is religion, my biggest thing is footy.
“The fact that we lost seven [games] after has made people keep talking about it. Why are we going to dwell on it and let one game affect us moving forward?”
