Turbo on track to surpass Manly fullback legends
True Blue Steve Menzies says Tom Trbojevic is knocking on the door to surpass some of the great fullbacks to wear a Manly Warringah Sea Eagles jersey – Graham Eadie, Matthew Ridge and Brett Stewart.
Trboejvic has been the common denominator in the Sea Eagles winning four of their past five games after losing the opening four of the season.
The 24-year-old has seven tries from five games and 10 try assists. He marked his 100th NRL game last weekend against the Warriors by scoring his 52nd and 53rd career tries.
Stewart had scored 80 tries by the time his 100th milestone game rolled around but Menzies says it’s too soon to draw comparisons.
“Tommy’s only young so he sits below those guys,” Menzies told Behind Blues Eyes for nswrl.com.au.
“Brett Stewart had an amazing career…. I absolutely loved ‘Wombat’, and Ridgey I played with and he was brilliant too.
“So, it’s tough to say this early in his career. But he does things like he’s playing Under 14s or Under 12s. He just runs through defences and he’s playing against the best players in the world.
“He takes great options; he’s such a great athlete; his catch and pass; his cut-out.
“He does some amazing things – if he keeps going with the way he plays, the sky is the limit. And it’s scary to think the players he potentially will go past in terms of greatness.”
Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has already stated James Tedesco will retain his spot at fullback for the Ampol State of Origin series but Menzies said that won’t be an issue for Trbojevic as he can slot anywhere in the backline.
“He’s shown he can play in the centres or on the wing,” Menzies said.
“So, I’m sure they’ll find a spot for him in either of those two. We have so many great fullbacks, which is good, but must also be frustrating for ‘Freddy’ (NSW coach Brad Fittler) too.
“Because Manly are a different team with Tommy out there…. he has a lot of involvement in all their line breaks, or their tries, so he’s worth points to them.
“Just having him out there creates opportunities for other players because defences are worried if Tommy is on the inside or the outside… so it’s a multiplying effect.”