'No way in the world': Brad Fittler torches potential Tom Trbojevic switch at Manly
Brad Fittler has shut down a potential move for Tom Trbojevic, with the Sea Eagles now scrambling to replace Daly Cherry-Evans next year.
The 36-year-old revealed this week he would leave Manly at season's end and the club have already been linked with a move for Canberra's Jamal Fogarty.
However, the other option that has been floated would see an internal switch which would see some changes to the spine.
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"The other theory is to move Luke Brooks to seven and Tom Trbojevic who can move up into six," Billy Slater said on Nine's Sunday Footy Show.
That suggestion was quickly shot down by Fittler and instead believes Manly could look towards the future with a couple of teenage standouts.
Tom Trbojevic has been touted as a potential halves option. Getty
"Tom's an athlete, he is six foot five," the Roosters legend said.
"Could you imagine him bending over making tackles? He has trouble with injury at the moment - there's no way in the world I would put him there.
"They've just invested in two young kids, Onitoni Large and Joey Walsh. I know them well, they played with my son and they are tough kids and both can kick.
"Luke Brooks might think 'it's on me' even though he didn't do that well at the Tigers."
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Andrew Johns also weighed in and pointed out Kalyn Ponga's brief stint in the No.6 jumper with the Knights, labelling it a "disaster" and cautioning Manly against following a similar path with their marquee fullback.
The rugby league Immortal also believes the Cherry-Evans saga won't have an impact on the Sea Eagles, despite all of the external noise surrounding the bombshell.
Jake Trbojevic is one of Manly's main leaders. NRL Images
"I don't think it will derail Manly because of one man - Jake Trbojevic," Johns said.
"I have no doubt that Jake will gather everyone and he will galvanise the team. It's the biggest challenge of Jake's leadership and I have no doubt he will excel."
Trbojevic captained NSW in last year's State of Origin series, but has never held the role in a full-time capacity at club level.
That is likely to change in 2026 - or potentially even earlier - given the call from Cherry-Evans to part ways with the Sea Eagles.
