Tom Trbojevic defends brother Jake over 'unfair' criticism, denies DCE rift in passionate presser

Tom Trbojevic has come out swinging ahead of Manly's clash against the Roosters this week, defending his older brother Jake and denying a rift with Daly Cherry-Evans.

All eyes will be on Brookvale Oval on Thursday night when the Sea Eagles' most capped player returns to the ground in new colours.

Cherry-Evans played 352 games for the club before departing at the end of last year and joining the Roosters in a move that dominated headlines.

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Despite the messy way his exit was handled, Trbojevic is hopeful Manly fans can still appreciate what the champion halfback did during his time there.

"I think they should cheer him, what he's done for this club … he's one of the all-time greats," the Sea Eagles skipper told media on Monday.

"I'm not gonna tell fans what to do, but I'd like to think they cheer him. I can understand it in a sense that he played for us and now he's playing for a different club.

"Look, I'm not gonna tell anyone what to do - if they're gonna boo him, they're gonna boo him and it doesn't matter what I say.

"I've known him for a long time, he's a good person and he's been an unbelievable player for this club and I'd like to think as fans, people would show him respect."

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The superstar fullback was then asked about rumours of a rift between himself and Cherry-Evans, which clearly took him by surprise.

"I personally don't recall that … that was certainly not talked about," Trbojevic said.

"We're good mates, I've got a great relationship with Chez.

"I'm probably not gonna talk to him before the game, respectfully - but I'll definitely talk to him after the game. Mine and his relationship was never an issue." 

Manly's start to the season has shone a spotlight on a number of issues, with the loss of Cherry-Evans only going to be exacerbated if they lose against the Roosters.

But it's the lingering talk around Jake Trbojevic that has left the captain feeling uneasy.

After three head knocks last season, question marks were swirling about what the 32-year-old's future in the NRL looked like.

That noise has only grown after back-to-back losses, but Tom was quick to leap to his brother's defence and his place in the Sea Eagles side.

"I briefly got tipped up on this before, I don't like to read into it too much, but I think it's a little bit disappointing that he's coming under fire," he said.

"A lot of people that watch the game get caught up in the stats - but he's a real leader for us in defence and the way he links our attack together.

"I really think it's unfair that he is coming under criticism, the way he's gone after these two weeks considering he's coming off a head injury last year, it's been great.

"I know Jake is a different character and he does get quite worked up, but I think he's tough enough to know that journalists and analysts are entitled to their own opinions.

"The commentary around him is very unfair and he's an integral part of this team. 

"I'm not here to justify why he's good enough - we at this club know why he's good enough and we really appreciate him as a footy player and a person." 

Tom was then asked about Jake's position in the Manly squad for next season and whether he would want to see the former NSW and Kangaroos forward stick around.

"If he wants to keep playing and he's energised and wants to keep playing and getting better as a footy player, then yeah I do," he said.

"I love playing with him, he's a great part of this team and he's a real leader.

"Ultimately, it's his decision on how he feels."

Jake has a contract offer on the table for 2027 but has until mid-way through the season to decide whether he will sign it or not.