Is Trbojevic the Shock Solution to Manly's Cherry-Evans Conundrum?

The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are reportedly considering a dramatic positional switch for star player Tom Trbojevic as the club grapples with the uncertain future of long-time halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.

Trbojevic, widely regarded as one of the best fullbacks in the National Rugby League, is being mooted as a possible solution to the team's halves dilemma should Cherry-Evans depart the Brookvale Oval outfit.

Rumors surrounding Cherry-Evans' future have been circulating for months, with the 33-year-old Queensland representative having yet to re-sign with the Sea Eagles beyond 2024.

While the club remains hopeful of retaining Cherry-Evans' services, the uncertainty has prompted head coach Anthony Seibold to explore alternative options, including a possible move to the halves for Trbojevic.

Trbojevic's versatility and exceptional footballing talent make him an attractive candidate for the role, which would see him partner either Josh Schuster or Cooper Johns in the Sea Eagles' halves.

However, such a move would also require significant adjustments from Trbojevic, who has spent the majority of his NRL career at fullback. The position switch would necessitate Trbojevic developing his ball-playing skills and ability to direct the team's attack, skills he has thus far demonstrated in flashes but not consistently.

Seibold, though, has expressed confidence in Trbojevic's ability to adapt, should the need arise. 'Tom's a talented player who can play multiple positions,' Seibold said in a media conference. 'We're not ruling out anything at this stage.'

While the prospect of Trbojevic playing in the halves may seem daunting, it's a scenario that has precedent in the NRL. In recent years, several fullbacks have made successful transitions to the halves, including Melbourne Storm's Cameron Munster and Brisbane Broncos' Adam Reynolds.

Meanwhile, Cherry-Evans remains tight-lipped about his future plans. The veteran halfback has been linked to several clubs, including the Gold Coast Titans and the New Zealand Warriors.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding Cherry-Evans' future is set to continue dominating the rugby league landscape in the coming weeks, with the Sea Eagles due to make a call on their 2025 recruitment plans in the near future.