Coach Seibold hints at a positional switch for Manly star Tom Trbojevic on return

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Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic has been out of the NRL with a hamstring strain since round 10, but the flyer could return in a different jersey over the coming weeks.

Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold didn’t rule out a switch for Turbo, who could return in the centres.

“We’ve had a number of conversations about position,” Seibold told 9News.

Tom Trbojevic. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“Rather than just think about the change of position subjectively, we’ve had a really good objective look at the GPS data. What we’ve wanted to see is, what are the demands of a fullback and what are the demands of a centre?

“To be frank, from a data point of view, there’s not a whole heap of difference.

“There’s a little bit more change of pace as a fullback, but there’s a lot more contact when you’re playing centre. There’s a number of things we need to consider and we’ve got a couple of weeks until we have to make that decision.”

“He’s an elite player, so I don’t want to make the decision solely. We’ve been collaborating and communicating the whole time, but I want to do what’s best for Turbo.

“If it’s best to put him in the centres, that’s what we will do – but I still think his best position is fullback.”

Trbojevic is not new to the centre role, having represented NSW as a right centre, paired with Latrell Mitchell as the left.

The switch could put less of a strain on the 27-year-old’s injury prone body, not having to make kick returns or scout across field in defence.

Lehi Hopoate has shown promise as a youngster for Manly, which could inspire Seibold to include both in the Sea Eagles backline.

Trbojevic has had a tragic run of injuries over the past five years, where he suffered his first of four hamstring problems in 2019.

The 2021 Dally M Medallist had a poor run last season, injuring his pec with ruled him out for nearly 14 weeks.

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