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WATCH: Field of Dreams finalistsThe shock captain option for the Sea Eagles
Sam Kosack • November 18th, 2025 4:18 pm
Journalist Michael Carayannis believes Tom Trbojevic should be the next captain of the Manly Sea Eagles, with Haumole Olakau'atu looming as an option to potentially co-captain the side.
With Daly Cherry-Evans departing as the most-capped captain in club history, the Sea Eagles are on the look out for a new captain for the first time since 2017.
Jake Trbojevic is widely regarded as the favourite to take over the role, however, with questions surrounding Trbojevic’s long-term future in the NRL, Carayannis believes the Sea Eagles will go in a different direction.
“I think Tom (Trbojevic) should be the next captain of Manly, and I feel like Haumole (Olakau'atu) will have a part. If he's not co-captain, vice-captain of Manly. They love his leadership there,” Carayannis told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I just feel like you've had (Daly Cherry-Evans) captain for so long… Jake's (Trbojevic) got 12 months left on his contract. It could be (the end for Jake Trbojevic). It definitely could, and it's not a shock to anyone.
“His form hasn't warranted the million-dollar payday that he's getting next year. He's had concussion issues, so it could well be his last season in the NRL.
“For mine, I don't think Jake's game changes regardless either, like he's been around for so long, he's a natural leader of the club.
“If he was a little bit younger or he was gonna play a little bit longer, I'd probably make him captain, but I know he's captained New South Wales to a series win only last year.
“I would be making Tom captain with Haumole probably vice-captain.
“You know what Jake should be? The old school club captain.”
All three players served in the club's leadership team last year, with Olakau'atu promoted into the leadership position for the first time in 2025.
Jake Trbojevic is a favourite son on the Northern Beaches, often praised for his passion for his boyhood club.
The local junior has captained the club in 2016, 2019, and 2022, however, he struggled in 2025 in comparison to previous seasons that saw him represent Australia in the 2022 World Cup and captain New South Wales to an Origin-series win in 2024.
Trbojevic’s post-contact and total metres gained halved from 2024 as he managed 17 games amidst concussion issues; the least number of games played since his debut season in 2013.
Speaking to SEN in August, the lock forward conceded his time in the NRL was nearing its end.
“My contract’s to the end of 2026, so the end of next year, and they’re just working through things,” Trbojevic said.
“I’ll only be another year or so and Tom (Trbojevic) might be a few extra.
“We’ve got a lot of time on our hands and that sort of thing, so we’re just worried about footy.”
