Jake Trbojevic would rather quit the NRL than find himself in a similar predicament to good friend Daly Cherry-Evans and potentially having to play against the Sea Eagles.
Trbojevic was stunned at the start of the week when Manly’s captain and halfback broke the news of his plans to leave the club at the end of the season.
Cherry-Evans confirmed on 100% Footy on Monday he had already let his mind wonder to what it would be like taking on Manly.
“That’s the sort of stuff that makes you feel all those weird different emotions,” he said. “I have thought about it. It wouldn’t be easy, in particular if Haumole Olakau’atu was to play directly against me.”
Trbojevic is off contract at the end of next season, and if he is unable to broker a new deal at his childhood club, he is prepared to walk away from the NRL altogether.
“It just wouldn’t happen,” said Trbojevic, when asked about the prospect of playing against Manly. “I couldn’t do it, personally. People do that, but no, I definitely couldn’t imagine it.
Jake (left) and Tom Trbojevic (right) and Daly Cherry-Evans have been the faces of the Sea Eagles for the best part of a decade.Credit: Rhett Wyman
“You never say never. We never thought Glenn Stewart would leave the club, [even though] he got forced out. We never thought Cherry-Evans would leave the club.
“Right now, my answer would be no. I love this club; it means the world to me. I’ve been here since I was 14 in junior development.”
Trbojevic, his brother Tom and Cherry-Evans have been the faces of the Sea Eagles for the best part of a decade. Jake has been at the club for 12 years, while Cherry-Evans is in his 15th season.
It remains to be seen how Cherry-Evans is received by the fans at what will be a packed 4 Pines Park on Sunday afternoon when the Sea Eagles take on Parramatta.
His teammates did not suspect what was revealed on Monday, Trbojevic admitting: “It was a bit of a shock; I definitely did not see that coming. It’s a little bit crazy.
“If that’s what he wants to do, we’ll respect it and move on. This club isn’t about one person or one thing, the club has been around a long time, and it will [continue] to be around for a long time after that.
“We need to move and we’ll be fine.
Jake Trbojevic says he would never play for another team against Manly and his brother Tom.Credit: Getty Images
“I found out on Monday during the day; he told a few of the boys. It was nothing more than what he said on TV. He said it would be his last year, and how he told them [the club] in December.
“I’m very optimistic about our season. We’ve had a good start, we’ve been a bit inconsistent with two great wins and one not great performance [against the Warriors], which has been the story the last few years.
“I’ll keep leading the way I do. I hope next year I get to be captain. It would be a true honour, and I’d do this club proud.”
Cherry-Evans joined his teammates for their main field session on Thursday ahead of the showdown with the Eels.
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