Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Why Trbojevic contract negotiations show the disconnect at Manly
Nicholas Quinlan • September 22nd, 2025 4:26 pm
Jimmy Smith believes that the issues shown by the Tom Trbojevic contract negotiations are emblematic of the wider issues that exist within the Manly Sea-Eagles.
Having already lost Daly Cherry-Evans in contract negotiations this season, Manly could be on the verge of losing Tom Trbojevic after next season due to a miscommunication between the board and staff.
The 2021 Dally M Medallist was offered a three-year deal by the Sea-Eagles’ Head of Football, Peter Gentle, in the vicinity of $850,000 to $900,000 per year over the next three years, which was agreed to between him and the player.
However, that deal had not been approved by the board or by Manly CEO Tony Mestrov.
Instead, the club has come back with a reduced offer, which has left Trbojevic upset and has stalled negotiations between the two parties.
And this is the part that Smith is most disappointed by, as it shows a clear disconnect between the board and staff about what they are doing, which is having an effect on player retention.
“Peter Gentle is there as the General Manager, he goes and makes an offer, the offer is wrong,” Smith noted on SEN 1170’s Afternoons.
“The offer has not been ticked off the board or the CEO.
“Is there anything worse than having something and then having it taken away from you.
“That’s exactly what they have done here. Surely you get all your ducks in a row, ‘What can we pay him?’
“That is the part that would concern me most.”
With negotiations stalling, this could see the star fullback on the move.
And while it has been reported that he is unlikely to play for a rival NRL club, Smith believes there would be plenty of interest from the English Super League, with the Warrington Wolves already offering a two-year deal, according to Nine’s Michael Chammas.
“And now we have got Warrington, a very strong financial powerhouse over there in the English Super League, saying, ‘Hello, we’ll have Tom Trbojevic for two years, yes please’," Smith added.
“Who wouldn’t!”
With Trbojevic’s contract finishing next season, he is free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1 this year.
