Manly will make the leap and transfer Tom Trbojevic from fullback to centre for subsequent week’s conflict with North Queensland in an effort to finish the damage woes which have plagued the previous Dally M winner.
Trbojevic has been sidelined since struggling a hamstring damage towards the Dolphins seven weeks in the past.
The 27-year previous will make his return towards the Cowboys however will play centre at NRL stage for the primary time in eight years because the Sea Eagles look to ease the load on Trbojevic’s physique.
A potential transfer to centre had been mooted for Trbojevic for a while. His damage historical past in recent times has been intensive — Trbojevic missed a lot of final season with a pectoral downside and was sidelined for months in 2022 with a shoulder ailment.
His hamstrings have been of explicit concern with Trbojevic struggling accidents in 2019, 2020, 2021 and the 2023 pre-season. All informed, he has suffered six hamstring strains via his profession.
“We have now tried to be as goal as potential,” Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold mentioned final week.
“We have checked out all of the GPS information to see whether or not there’s something that may be a actual outlier as regards to the distinction or comparability between the 2 positions [fullback and centre],” Seibold mentioned.
Trbojevic isn’t any stranger to centre. He received the Wally Lewis Medal as greatest participant within the State of Origin collection in 2021 as a part of a magical season the place he additionally claimed Dally M honours because the NRL’s participant of the yr.
He is additionally frolicked at that place for Australia.
However transferring away from fullback is an enormous transfer for Seibold. Trbojevic has been the membership’s first alternative custodian since 2017 and has performed his greatest soccer in that place.
Trbojevic was cleared to return after passing a health take a look at on Saturday.
It stays to be seen who will take over at fullback for Manly. Rookie Lehi Hopoate has impressed on the place in latest weeks along with his work charge and attacking timing, whereas centres Reuben Garrick and Tolu Koula have additionally frolicked on the again.
Manly will face North Queensland in Townsville subsequent Saturday night time.
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