Manly Sea Eagles unveil plan for Tom Trbojevic to replace Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves

The Sea Eagles have two promising juniors, Onitoni Large and Joe Walsh, rising through the grades. However, the youngsters are likely to be 12-24 months away from being ready for regular first-grade football.

Lockyer, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Greg Inglis are some of the superstars who have successfully made the transition from fullback into the halves. Should Trbojevic follow suit, exciting youngster Lehi Hopoate will take over the No.1 jersey.

“He would just plug in there,” Mestrov said.

“That would be some backline. I feel we’ve still got that window open for the premiership, I think that maintains that. Obviously Chez is moving on and we wish him all the best. We want to maintain that level and I think we can do that with Turbo at six.

“‘Seibs’ [coach Anthony Seibold] believes that Turbo can be an elite six, he doesn’t say that lightly, and he’s always thought that.

“Fullback is probably the hardest position on the field physically, fitness-wise, they do more kilometres than any other player on the field. So I think that would relieve him of that. It could give him longevity in the game as a player as well.

“He’s supremely fit this year, he had a terrific off-season, and I think by playing six we’d see more of him, we’d see more skills that he’s got, and on top of it he’s the organiser.”

Manly officials had an inkling Cherry-Evans could be on the move after he first asked for a release in November, 2023. But after “DCE” opted to move on at the end of the current season, the Sea Eagles have turned their attention to retaining the Trbojevic brothers for the long term. Jake and Tom can field offers from rivals from November 1, but neither has an appetite to leave the northern beaches.

“I’ve spoken to their agent and said we want to start talks,” Mestrov said.

Loading

“We’re keen to lock Tom away and start talking about Jake. Both their contracts are up in 2026, so we’re keen to progress chats and obviously want to make them Manly players for life.

“I feel they are what the club’s all about, and I couldn’t think of a better leadership group than Jake and Tom.

“They bleed maroon and white, so I think we’re even enhancing our position of where we’re at.”

Mestrov said Cherry-Evans’ departure won’t derail the club’s bid for a premiership this season.

“Chez is such a professional, he’s the player most likely to block everything out, he’s made a career out of that. At the end of the day, there’s been a lot of press, good, bad, indifferent.

“We’re not really interested in that. This year we want to win a premiership. As far as we’re concerned, and Chez is concerned, it’s done and it’s out of the way.

“We’ve got a match to win on Sunday against the Eels, and we’ve got a premiership to win.”

NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now