Manly have been urged to return Tom Trbojevic to the fullback role to keep their NRL finals hopes alive, as the Sydney Roosters prepare to become the latest opponent to send heavy traffic down the Manly right edge.

Trbojevic will start in the centres on Saturday night, with Lehi Hopoate retaining the No.1 jersey for the Roosters clash.

Coach Anthony Seibold moved Trbojevic to the centres earlier this season to lighten his workload and help him regain some confidence after a run of injuries.

But with Trbojevic now defending in the front line, rivals have made a point of singling out the 28-year-old to help lessen his attacking threat. Trbojevic has been forced to make 70 tackles the past three matches, sapping his stamina in attack.

The loss of back-rower Haumole Olakau’atu to a dislocated shoulder will only further encourage teams to target Trbojevic’s side of the field.

Greg Alexander, a former NSW No.1, called for Trbojevic to return to his preferred fullback position while calling Sunday’s game on Fox Sports – and maintained it was the best and only option for Manly when contacted on Tuesday.

Tom Trbojevic is mobbed by students during a visit to his old school, Mona Vale Public, on Tuesday.

“Manly need to win games to make the finals, they have a tough run, and the time has come to put Tom at fullback,” Alexander said.

“He can roam as a centre, and he did bob up on the left side against the Dogs on the weekend, but you take away that flexibility using him on both edges and in the middle [when he is at fullback]. In the past, one of Tom’s best plays is when he is the first man off the ruck, and charging through the middle.

“It’s at that critical stage where Manly can’t afford to drop many more games. Lehi holds his spot, he goes back to the wing, and Tom has to go to fullback.”

Trbojevic’s brother Jake insisted Tom was more than holding his own in the centres, especially defensively, but agreed fullback was his natural position.

Jake Trbojevic was just as popular as brother Tom at Mona Vale Public School

“He brings a lot of talk and confidence and a lot of energy when he’s back there,” Jake said.

Trbojevic, 28, was a crowd favourite with the kids at his old primary school in Mona Vale on Tuesday, where Tom, Jake and Ben Trbojevic were on hand to celebrate next week’s Public Education Week.

He said the main difference playing in the centres had been the heavier defensive workload.

“I’m doing what’s best for the team,” Trbojevic said. “That’s where they want me, I’ll go out there and try to put my own spin on it and play the best footy I can.

Bronson Xerri drags Tom Trbojevic over the line for a try in the Bulldogs’ win over Manly on Sunday.

“It was tough on the weekend against the Dogs. We didn’t have any field position, and you don’t want to be reactive based on one game. I’ve said I’m happy to stay in the centres and nothing has changed.”

The Sea Eagles and Roosters are on the edge of the top eight, and victory is vital for both clubs at what will be an eighth sellout in 10 games at 4 Pines Park this season.

Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans is expected to link with the Roosters next year, but Jake Trbojevic gave a wry smile when asked about the potential move. “We actually don’t know,” Trbojevic grinned. “He definitely doesn’t want to tell us, so I won’t even bother asking.”

Tom looked troubled by a knee complaint late against the Dogs, but said he was in no doubt, while his good mates and Roosters’ No.1 James Tedesco, the Dally M favourite, “had been the best player in the comp by a country mile” this season.

Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.

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