Seibold confirms Trbojevic will remain at fullback despite healthy competition at Manly

Manly Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has confirmed that Tom Trbojevic will remain the starting fullback despite growing promise from a younger crop of players.

Trbojevic’s injury struggles have opened the door for Manly’s younger fullbacks on the roster including Clayton Faulalo and Lehi Hopoate who represented Tonga during the 2024 Pacific Championships.

The Sea Eagles are blessed with a number of outside backs and Seibold acknowledged how difficult it would be to finalise a starting 17 for Round 1.

“No, Turbo (Trbojevic) will not be playing six this year,” Seibold told SEN 1170.

“He will play fullback. He still is, if not the elite fullback in the game, certainly in the top two of fullbacks.

“In the meantime, Lehi will compete for a spot on the wing or in the centres.

“We need that depth as well because if we are going to continue to improve, we need to have competition for spots.

“Guys like Jason Saab have had off-season surgery and Tommy Talau has had his wisdom teeth pulled out which have held them up a little bit.

“The great thing is that we have competition for spots. We have six genuinely elite backs fighting for five positions.”

Manly is also struggling to settle on their hookers for 2025 after the club confirmed Lachlan Croker would miss the start of the season due to his recovery from knee surgery.

“It’s been documented that Croker won’t be available until at least Round 4,” Seibold added.

“Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Jake Simpkin both played in the number nine positions at various stages last year and both did a really good job.

“Both of them have improved from last year and are both capable of the job.

“One of our new signings Jazz Tevaga is a number 13 and also has the ability to play nine which he has done for his previous team the Warriors and the New Zealand team.

“You’ve got three really handy players in that position and we’ll use two of them in that first game.”

Manly hosts the Cowboys in Round 1 on March 8.