Since round 10, Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic has missed games due to a hamstring strain. However, in the upcoming weeks, the flyer may don a different shirt.
Turbo might return to the center, and Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold did not rule out a switch for him.
Seibold told 9News, “We’ve had a number of conversations about position.”
Instead of approaching the change of position subjectively, we’ve taken a thorough, objective look at the GPS data. We’ve aimed to understand the specific demands of playing fullback versus playing center.
To be honest, from a data standpoint, there isn’t a significant disparity. There may be slightly more variation in pace as a fullback, but there’s notably more physical contact when in the center position. We’re weighing various factors, and we still have a couple of weeks before we need to finalize our decision.
Tom Trbojevic is an exceptional player, so I’m hesitant to make this decision unilaterally. We’ve been engaging in ongoing collaboration and communication, and ultimately, I want to ensure we’re making the choice that best serves his talents and interests.
“If placing him in the centers is what’s optimal, then that’s the route we’ll take – although I still firmly believe his strongest position is at fullback.”
Tom Trbojevic is no stranger to the center role, having previously represented NSW in that position, often alongside Latrell Mitchell.
Transitioning to center could potentially alleviate some of the strain on the 27-year-old’s injury-prone body, as he would be relieved from the demands of kick returns and extensive lateral movement in defense.
Additionally, the emergence of Lehi Hopoate as a promising talent for Manly might prompt Seibold to consider fielding both players in the Sea Eagles’ backline.
Trbojevic has endured a series of unfortunate injuries over the past five years, beginning with his first of four hamstring issues in 2019. Last season, the 2021 Dally M Medallist faced further setbacks when he sustained a pec injury, sidelining him for nearly 14 weeks.