Tom Trbojevic could have been playing Super League next year, after seriously considering a move to the UK. However, a late change of heart from Manly Sea Eagles saw the full-back remain in the NRL for a further 12 months.
‘Turbo’ is one of Australia’s biggest stars, and is a key player in the Sea Eagles side.
Having made his debut in 2015, he has plated 170 times for Manly, and has been unlucky with injury throughout his career.
All the way through the season just gone, reports emerged and talk ebbed and flowed about a potential switch to Super League by the seven-time Kangaroo, with the Warrington Wolves the club said to be most interested.
Talk died down towards the end of the campaign, before it was announced that the full-back would continue with the Sea Eagles past 2026 after agreeing a new deal.
Speaking on the Triple M podcast, Australian journalist, Danny Weidler, has confirmed that a switch to the English division was fully on the cards, with Turbo ‘seriously’ considering a future in the Northern Hemisphere.
He said: “I know that he was exploring options seriously. You don’t want to hear this, but he was looking seriously at England. And I think that there were certain clubs that he was reaching out to and wanted to know what it was like.
“It wasn’t some BS story. It was real that he was looking.”
Manly were heavily criticised for their handling of Trbojevic, given he was one of the best players in their recent history. The 29-year-old already had a deal until the end of 2026 at the club, but to avoid any potential exit ahead of the November 1 date, where other clubs can approach out-of-contract players, they offered him improved terms and another season.
He now has a contract until the end of 2027, and whilst it means he won’t be playing in England in the short-term, it does open up the option for a move in the future, should he still wish to pursue it.
Furthermore, Turbo was made captain of the club following the exit of half-back Daly Cherry-Evans, who has joined Sydney Roosters.
Weidler commented on Manly’s dealing of the situation, and berated them for how they acted towards one of their star men.
“It’s not wrong to say Tommy was p****d off with the way that he was being dealt with on a contract front by Manly,” he said.
“The way that they changed the offer on Tom Trbojevic, which was highly insulting to one of the great players at that club and one of the great players in the game… is a significant turnaround in the way they’re obviously, I guess, treating Tom, because there’s no bigger honour than to captain your club. So I think good move from Manly.”
