Former NRL player Josh Morris has urged the Manly Sea Eagles to consider a significant position change for Tom Trbojevic, given his ongoing struggles with hamstring and knee injuries. Despite traditionally playing as a fullback, there’s increasing debate about whether Trbojevic should take on a different role within the team’s spine, especially as he has occasionally played at centre and on the wing.
Trbojevic’s injury woes have been a recurring theme in recent seasons, with his latest setbacks involving both an MCL and a hamstring issue earlier this year. The arrival of promising young talents like Lehi Hopoate and Tolutau Koula has raised further questions about Trbojevic’s best fit within the team layout. His recent omission from the first game of the 2025 State of Origin series, where he lost out on the fullback position to Dylan Edwards, highlights his current standing in the ranks.
Despite Coach Anthony Seibold asserting that Trbojevic is fully fit, Morris remains sceptical, suggesting that the player’s fitness may not be conducive to maintaining a fullback position anymore. In an interview with 2GB’s The Continuous Call Team, Morris stated, "He needs to play five-eighth or centre," emphasising the physical demands placed on fullbacks in the modern game.
"The running at fullback is what is hurting him," Morris explained. "With the amount of sprinting involved, especially on the goal line, it’s incredibly challenging. Given his history with hamstring injuries, any slight fatigue or heavy ground conditions can significantly impact his performance." He argued that the intense demands are beginning to take a toll on Trbojevic.
Morris also commended the performances of young players Hopoate and Koula, suggesting they are well-suited to cover the No.1 jersey for Manly. He noted, "Lehi Hopoate is a fantastic young winger who can also play fullback, and Koula could easily fill that role too." Morris concluded that it may be time for Trbojevic to transition to the centre or halfback positions for the betterment of his career and the team’s success.
In summary, the former NRL star believes that a strategic change could benefit both Trbojevic and the Sea Eagles, urging the club to "bite the bullet" and adapt their approach to accommodate the evolving dynamics of their squad.