Manly’s past, present and future collided and poleaxed Newcastle in the process as Tom Trbojevic made a formidable return to the No.1 jumper and future fullback Lehi Hopoate produced one of the try-assists of the season. The Sea Eagles’ annual Old Boys’ Day drew more than 90 past players and a sold-out Brookvale crowd who were treated to a 44-6 demolition job on a hapless Knights outfit.
After 80 middling minutes at centre last week in his return from a hamstring injury, Trbojevic was back in the No.1 and right at home too, finishing with two try-assists to go with a four-pointer from a flying effort right over the top of Newcastle’s Fletcher Sharpe. “I’ve always been a fullback, so of course it felt natural being back there.
It’s hard to see myself playing elsewhere but I’m open to doing what’s best for the team. I’m happy to do whatever,” Trbojevic said. His presence, particularly in picking apart makeshift Knights centre Thomas Cant on the left edge, made Manly an infinitely more dangerous attacking side, even against a disappointing opposition.
Reuben Garrick was credited with four line-break assists by the NRL statisticians, but it was Trbojevic creating the space inside him. Tom Trbojevic scores on his return to fullback for Manly. Credit: Getty Images “He’s an elite player,” coach Anthony Seibold said.
“We felt as though we had an advantage out there with our speed so we wanted to make sure we used our weapons and obviously Turbo, some of .
