Manly veteran Jake Trbojevic knows another serious head knock could spell the end of his 13-year NRL career. But the Sea Eagles fan favourite is confident that a couple of major changes in the off-season have put him in good stead to play on and go past a 250-game milestone at Manly that would see him join an exclusive group of players.
The 32-year-old suffered three major concussions in 2025, the last of which came from a tackle on Canberra enforcer Josh Papalii in Round 23 that ended his season early. It sparked plenty of retirement speculation around the oldest of the Trbojevic brothers, but Jake says he never really considered hanging up the boots.
Manly Sea Eagles veteran Jake Trbojevic (R image, centre) has made some big changes in 2026 to try and minimise the risk of further head knocks. Pic: Getty
He did however spend the off-season working with Manly’s coaches and medical staff to come up with ways to minimise the risk of further head knocks. It involved hours of gym work to strengthen his neck and a major change in Trbojevic’s tackling technique to stop him from getting into dangerous positions.
The former rep star is also wearing a revolutionary new type of headgear designed to soften the impact of head knocks and lower the risk of concussions. Trbojevic hopes the changes will prevent a recurrence of the recent head knocks that have threatened to end his career prematurely, but is under no illusions about what it could mean if he suffers another concussion.
Manly veteran Jake Trbojevic suffered three serious concussions in 2025 that sparked fears around his future in the NRL. Pic: Getty
(Mark Nolan via Getty Images)
“I’ve given myself the best chance to not have the same thing (happen),” Trbojevic told AAP. “We all know the repercussions if I have a few more (concussions) which is obviously not going to be great for me. The positive thing is, I can’t really give up, you know?
The 32-year-old forward – who is off-contract at the end of this season – is just nine games away from playing his 250th for Manly. That would see Trbojevic become just the sixth player in the club’s history to reach the milestone.
Jake Trbojevic makes change in response to head knocks
“I want to keep going and I’ve given myself the best chance, which is something I’m proud of,” he added. “It all comes down to my feet and my tackle selection. I have probably been a bit silly in the past, for instance if you try and tackle Josh Papalii you’ve got to be smarter about how you go about it, I was trying to impose myself on the game.”
The 32-year-old says his time out last year gave him a look at what retirement could look like. “I’m actually a bit nervous (for life after footy), I think it made me realise I don’t really know too much other than Manly,” he said.
“I guess I’ve been here since I was in those under-12s development squads and that’s all I’ve known. The future is a bit scary but I know whatever I do, I’d put my heart and soul into. Coaching would probably be a bit stressful for me.”
Trbojevic’s return game on Saturday night just so happens to be against the Raiders again, which pits Manly recruit Jamal Fogarty up against his former club. Trbojevic has been named at lock for the home clash at 4 Pines Park, with his brother and fullback Tom taking over the captaincy from Daly Cherry-Evans after the veteran’s switch to the Roosters.
with AAP