Manly have offered Kangaroos star Tom Trbojevic a two-year deal in a bid to make sure he finishes his career as a one-club man.
The Sea Eagles hope the offer, worth about $1.75 million, will be enough to take their captain off the NRL market, The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Thursday.
The last contract Trbojevic signed was for one season. Manly hope the offer of a second year will end speculation about the fullback’s future and give both parties certainty.
According to the Herald, the club says the deal reflects the esteem it holds for its captain, while also being fiscally responsible given Trbojevic has played 70 games in five years.
One of 11 Kangaroos off contract
Trbojevic, 30, is one of 11 Australian internationals who have been free agents since 1 November, as Kevin Walters’ side prepares to face Samoa in a World Cup semi-final at Allianz Stadium on Sunday night.
Read more: Kangaroos Team: Walsh Keeps No.1, Mitchell Recalled for Samoa Semi
The others are Jack Bostock, Bradman Best, Sam Walker, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, James Tedesco, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and David Fifita.
Trbojevic has always maintained he wants to finish his career at Manly, and at one point tried to take a pay cut because of the number of games he had missed through injury.
He is tied with New Zealand’s Casey McLean for the most tries at the World Cup, although he has had some defensive lapses playing on the wing, an unfamiliar position for him.
Read more: Manly Eye Harry Grant After He Passes on Storm Option, Report Says
Hopoate also offered extension
Manly have also offered Trbojevic’s potential fullback successor, Lehi Hopoate, a two-year contract extension, and are in active negotiations to keep forward Caleb Navale, the Herald reported.
Hopoate, 21, is wearing the No.1 jersey for Tonga at the World Cup. He has played 43 NRL games on the wing, 32 at fullback, five in the centres and two off the bench since his debut in 2024.
Hopoate and Toluta’u Koula are seen as long-term fullback options once Trbojevic retires. Manly recently re-signed brothers Ashton and Onitoni Large until the end of 2029.
The Sea Eagles are not expected to be big movers on the open market unless they can offload several contracted players. The club is prepared to honour the deals of Luke Brooks, Jamal Fogarty and Ethan Bullimore, but won’t stand in their way if they can secure a long-term contract elsewhere. Blake Wilson was granted an early release last week to join the Perth Bears.
More News
