Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and star forward Jake Trbojevic reportedly have no relationship away from the club.
Cherry-Evans this week rejected claims there is been a push within the Sea Eagle playing group for Trbojevic to take over the captaincy.
The veteran halfback said he still has the support of his teammates amid the speculation over his future as captain.
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NRL 360 host Braith Anasta asked veteran reported Phil Rothfield on Thursday night if there was “any truth” to reports of a recent rift between DCE and Trbojevic.
“There’s plenty of truth to it,” Rothfield said.
“But like at any football club, sometimes even if you don’t like each other you’ve got to have a civil relationship. When they turn up each day, of course they’ll say hello. And when they both need to contribute to a team meeting they’ll contribute.
“It’s just of late, it (their relationship) is very ordinary. You would never see them together socially.
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“They’re not tight whatsoever, they just talk when they have to.”
Brent Read then interjected and explained pair are simply different personalities and that not all players best mates at clubs.
“They’re just different people, I wouldn’t say they’re enemies. They don’t dislike each other, they just don’t hang out socially and that happens in footy clubs,” Read said.
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“It does but it’s a concern when it’s happening between the two leaders in the side,” Anasta responded.
“It does happen but it’s not ideal.
“You look at their form and the way the club is at the moment, it’s hard to think it’s not having an impact on the club and their performances on the field.”
Meanwhile, coach Des Hasler is under pressure to keep his job amid reports of a fractured playing group after the Sea Eagles failed to make finals following a top-four finish last season.
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