Daley Cherry-Evans’ departure from Manly left more than a gap in the halves; it also left the Sea Eagles without a captain.
Today, the Manly Sea Eagles officially announced who will take over from Cherry-Evans next season, with Tom Trbojevic named as the new club captain.
The appointment signals a fresh era of leadership at Brookvale and rewards one of the Sea Eagles’ longest-serving players.
The 28-year-old superstar assumes the role as a one-club player, always synonymous with Manly, despite some uncertainty over his future that was resolved last month with a new contract extension.
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Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold praised Trbojevic’s leadership qualities, highlighting both his on-field influence and off-field respect.
“On the field he is an elite player who has a big influence on team performance. Off the field, not only is he highly respected by his teammates but he is a highly regarded member of the Northern Beaches community,” Seibold said.
Trbojevic described the honor of taking on the captaincy and expressed his commitment to the role.
“This means a lot to me, and I’m thrilled to take on the captaincy,” he said.
Having played 38 games across the past two seasons, Trbojevic has significantly improved his luck after a well-publicized battle with injuries throughout in his career.
The Sea Eagles are placing not only their captaincy but much of their premiership hopes in Trbojevic as he enters his prime years and will be hoping that luck continues.
After missing finals football in 2025, Manly will be hoping that fresh leadership and a renewed sense of purpose can return them to September football.
If Trbojevic leads the way with the form and resilience he is known for, the Sea Eagles’ prospects of reclaiming their spot among the NRL elite could become a reality in 2026.