The strength of the relationship of the playing group has come under fire sincethe Pride jersey fiasco six weeks ago. While the players have held internal meetings to try and resolve any lingering issues,a seven-game losing streak has only added to the unhappiness at Manly.
Rumours of tension between the Trbojevic brothers and Cherry-Evans have been strongly refuted. Tom insists there are no personal issues with anyone at the club. The club’s three best players recently addressed the speculation.
Trbojevic also hosed down reports of a feud with Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans.Credit:NRL Photos
“I think people assume in a football team that everyone is best mates,” Trbojevic said.
“There are so many different personalities and characters within a football club that it’s only natural for some people to be closer than others. But to suggest there is any personal unrest from my end to anyone in the team is untrue,especially not with Chez.
“We’ve heard the rumours and we’ve got together and addressed it. We are united in making sure this club is successful. We know we have to get better as a team and we all want what is best for the club.”
New Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov,who spoke with the Trbojevic brothersafter Friday’s loss,said he will be meeting with a number of players in the coming weeks.
Cherry Evans and Trbojevic in 2020.Credit:Getty
“There’s some frustration among the senior players and we’re all disappointed with the position the club is in,” Mestrov said. “We will all have some good discussions in the off-season.”
TheHerald understands tension within the club also relates to a differing of views between Hasler and the powerful Fulton family.
Hasler,who is one of the highest-paid coaches in the game earning just under $1 million per season,and many of the senior players wanted Kieran Foran to remain at the club,however recruitment manager Scott Fulton,the son of the late Bob Fulton,has been pushing for Josh Schusterto take over the No.6 jersey.
Scott Fulton also has a close relationship with Schuster’s manager Mario Tartak,who has brought several players to the club from western Sydney in recent years.
“It was really emotional at the end there. I wanted to finish on a high note at a club that means so much to me,” Foran said after the one-point loss to Canterbury on Friday night. “It’s been a really tough season for us.
“The reality is I’ve still got a fair bit of footy left in me,but my time at Manly is finished. There’s a lot of people here that played a huge part in my career;Dessie,I’ve known Cherry for 15 years and the Trbojevic boys as well as[Lachlan] Croker and Parks[Brad Parker]. I could name all of them. Then there’s the young boys who have come through.
“It will be strange[without Des]. It’s not ideal feeling like this,and he’s a coach I’ve always enjoyed playing under. But that’s rugby league. I’m excited for the future and going under Justin[Holbrook at the Titans].
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“[The pride jersey saga] is so in the past for us. They’re our teammates,they’re our brothers and we completely understand their position on it. We all moved on. They came back and tried their hearts out for the team and the club. That’s all you can ask.”
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