Manly crown Trbojevic bros as club royalty with lucrative deals
Manly have made a seismic move towards keeping Tom and Jake Trbojevic in maroon and white for their entire careers by re-signing the pair on six-year deals.
The Sea Eagles confirmed two of the biggest contracts in the club's history on Friday afternoon, announcing the Trbojevics retention at a press conference with coach Des Hasler and new CEO Stephen Humphreys in attendance.
NRL.com understands Manly have outlaid over $12 million across the two contracts, tying the two brothers to their local club until at least the end of 2026.
"The Sea Eagles mean the world to Tom and me. We’re proud to be Manly men,"
Jake Trbojevic told the Manly club website.
"To know that we will be playing together for the Sea Eagles for a further six years after next season is an incredible feeling.
"I believe this club is certainly heading in the right direction. I can't wait to get back to Lottoland and play in front of our great Members again next season."
As one of the game's truly elite fullbacks Tom is tipped to earn over $1 million a season, with Jake's salary coming in just under the seven-figure mark – still making him one of the highest-paid forwards in the NRL.
By the end of the deals, Tom will be 29 while Jake will be 31 and both will have played over a decade in Sea Eagles colours.
Younger brother Ben, a NSW under 18s back-rower/centre this year, has also been signed on a development deal that keeps him at Narrabeen for the next two seasons.
Manly's retention of the two eldest Trbojevic siblings has been oft-discussed throughout 2019, with the club originally intending to have their futures sorted before November 1, when they could officially receive offers.
It's believed at least two rival Sydney clubs expressed interest in luring the pair away from Manly, but the Trbojevics never genuinely entertained leaving the Northern Beaches.
Jake will spend the summer recovering from shoulder surgery that is expected to rule him out of the first two rounds of 2020 while Tom is slated to return to pre-season training in December.
Tom Trbojevicis now looking forward to his future in maroon and white.
"I know this team can certainly be finals contenders for many years to come, and hopefully, we can lift that NRL premiership trophy in the near future," he said.
"I'm really looking forward to returning to the field next season and playing in front of our fantastic Members at Lottoland."
Source:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/11/15/manly-crown-trbojevic-bros-as-club-royalty-with-lucrative-deals/