As the injury-prone fullback gets ready to make a comeback this weekend against Penrith, Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has drawn criticism for drawing comparisons between Greg Inglis and Tom Trbojevic. Seibold, who is working hard to get Manly out of their current slump, said he hasn’t had much time to think about Jamal Fogarty likely replacing Daly Cherry-Evans at halfback in the upcoming year. Fogarty’s current club Canberra acknowledged on Thursday they are unable to match the Sea Eagles’ offer of what is thought to be a three-year, $2.1million deal commencing in 2026.
Avoiding Manly’s first four-game losing run since the aftermath from the 2022 rainbow jersey fiasco has been Seibold’s primary objective this week, rather than completing the Fogarty deal. “I haven’t been particularly concerned with recruitment, retention, or those kinds of things,” Seibold stated. “With all due respect, I will refrain from commenting on possible targets or players from other clubs.”
After missing three weeks due to a knee injury, the most recent in a string of ailments, Trbojevic is ready to get the struggling Sea Eagles back on track. In his absence, Manly has lost all three games, including two against the Storm and Dragons at their home stadium, Brookvale Oval.
Seibold used 2014 South Sydney premiership hero Inglis, whom he coached during his 2018 season at the Rabbitohs, to highlight the significance of Trbojevic’s comeback. Over the years, I’ve coached a few players that simply give you confidence when they’re in your locker room. “One of those guys was Greg Inglis,” Seibold remarked. Another is “Turbo.” He is a fantastic communicator and has that physical presence. His confidence and communication off the field are equally as important as his on-court activities. However, just because Turbo is back doesn’t guarantee we’ll win; everyone of us must perform our duties both individually and as a team.
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