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.
Sea Eagles icon Cliff Lyons was honoured by NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo with a ’300 club’ ring to acknowledge his triple century of appearances in maroon and white.
Luke Brooks did the old champion’s No.6 jumper justice with a pair of first-half kick try-assists, Trbojevic flying through in familiar fashion to steal an early try right out of opposite number Fletcher Sharpe’s bread basket.
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 his own four-pointer.
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 disappointing opposition.
Tom Trbojevic scores on his return to fullback for Manly.Credit: Getty Images
Reuben Garrick was credited with four line-break assists by the NRL statisticians, but it was Trbojevic creating the space inside him.
Fullback remains the million-dollar man’s best position, and when he’s fully fit, it should always be Trbojevic’s position, for the next few years at least.
Source Agencies
