Sea Eagles superstar Tom Trbojevic has allayed any fears of a fresh injury and has confirmed all indications are that he will remain at right centre for the rest of the season as Manly looks to keep its finals hopes alive against the Roosters on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
On the same day that boom back-rower Haumole Olakau\u2019atu suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, Manly fans held their breath as Trbojevic stayed down with a leg injury while being tackled during the loss to the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just a bit awkward and the knee started to tighten up a little bit. It was an awkward fall,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI haven\u2019t actually watched it back but it looked a bit awkward. It was a bit ginger but I got up and felt all right, which is good.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels good now and I was able to play the rest of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was a huge sense of relief at Allianz Stadium as he played on, with the former Dally M Medal winner moving as well as he has all year.<\/p>\n
Trbojevic set up his side\u2019s only try and had some strong carries but was found out defensively a couple of times in his new role in the centres.<\/p>\n
The Sea Eagles were 3-0 with him in that position before Sunday\u2019s loss, and he isn\u2019t expecting to return to fullback this year despite calls for him to move there, with Lehi Hopoate to remain in the No.1 jersey as they fight for a finals spot. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy indication is that I will stay there, yes,\u201d he replied at his former primary school ahead of NSW Public Education Week starting next Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI still feel like I have been able to do what I do best and that is move around the field and play footy. It obviously wasn\u2019t our best performance on the weekend, mine included. I just have to reflect on that and get better and move forward, but feeling good.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just a different position, you have to learn new things. Obviously, defensively it\u2019s a lot different, but I just have to learn it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are challenges in both of them. As a fullback, you have a bit more freedom. I have watched a lot of the game and I have played it before, so it\u2019s not something I\u2019m too unfamiliar with. I just have to keep getting better.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve moved there, so my focus is on being there and being the best version of myself there. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like anything, if you go move to do a different role in a job, if you\u2019re thinking I\u2019m not going to be here full time, I\u2019ll move onto other things, then you\u2019re not going to perform the job well.\u201d<\/p>\n
With his focus on performing well in his new role, Trbojevic has not paid any attention to speculation over his future.<\/p>\n
The rep star has another year to run on his deal, as does his brother, Jake, but the pair are in no rush to sign what appears to be an inevitable extension with the club they grew up supporting.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not my focus at all,\u201d Tom said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got six weeks left in the comp and that\u2019s where my focus is at. I\u2019ll sort that all out in the off-season, so I\u2019m not focused on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jake is also off contract at the end of 2026 and it seems a fait accompli that he\u2019ll sign a new deal to finish his career at Manly. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got another year and a bit and I\u2019m getting to the back end of my career, so it\u2019s not really a rush,\u201d the veteran lock said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not like we\u2019re really going to go anywhere else, is it?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see how it plays out, but it\u2019s not a focus at all. Where we are at the moment in the season, we need to focus on playing well and getting some more wins.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll all work itself out, so I\u2019m not rushing.\u201c<\/p>\n