Tom Trbojevic has produced one of the great seasons for Manly as statistics confirm his influence outweighs any other marquee player in the modern NRL era.
Trbojevic insisted on Monday the Sea Eagles could continue their free-wheeling style into the finals, adamant they did not need to tighten up on Friday against Melbourne.
The 24-year-old’s 2021 season will long be held in high esteem after scoring 25 tries and setting up 30 in 15 matches.
That level of involvement towers over Jarryd Hayne in 2009 and Ben Barba in 2012, despite playing less games.
Beyond that, Manly’s rebound from their worst-ever opening month in both attack and defence without Trbojevic to finish fourth on the ladder emphasises his importance.
Since Des Hasler’s 2019 arrival, Manly are 20.37 points better off with Trbojevic playing – going from an average losing margin of 7.43 without him to winning by 12.94 with him.
In comparison, Newcastle were 10.6 points better off with rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns throughout his career, while North Queensland were 9.9 points superior with Johnathan Thurston.
Trbojevic’s influence in 2021 extends to 32.5 points with him in the team.
“The Barba, Hayne, and Lockyer’s (in 2006), are amazing seasons,” skipper Daly Cherry-Evans told AAP
“The game’s changed so much but Tom’s season deserves to be in that category and will be talked about for a very long time.
“He’s doing stuff at the moment that I’ve never seen a teammate do, things not many people in the history of the game could.”
Nowhere is Trbojevic’s influence on Manly clearer than his combination with Jason Saab.
When Trbojevic plays and draws defenders to create space, speedster Saab has scored 22 tries in 15 games this year.
Without him, he has one try in nine matches.
“Half the time he makes that break or puts you down the sideline, Saab said.
“But with Cherry, (Kieran) Foran and even our ball-players in the middle and on the edges, they come alive when Turbo is around.
“It takes the pressure off other players. Defensively teams are looking at Turbo.
“Sometimes he can just be the bait that makes it so easy for our halves.”
The influence makes Trbojevic the most important man of the finals.
But the fullback insists he does not feel any extra pressure, and typically shies away from comparisons to the greats.
What he is confident of though is that neither his or Manly’s game shouldn’t change, even as defences apply pressure to them in the finals.
“We always wanted to be a side that plays good (expansive) footy, that’s when we play our best,” Trbojevic said.
“The change of rules have probably made it a bit easier to do that. Once we started doing it we did it well so we kept at it.
“It’s a footy we feel comfortable playing and we’re not going to try and change too much.”
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Sorry mate , I keep forgetting i am the oldest person in the room., I was around for Phil Blake and I still think that was the most incredible individual season I have seen. Like Turbo he virtually scored at will but he could not use size or strength, just speed and skill. 27 trys in 23 games as a halfback , sheeesh. He reinvented the chip and chase and was so good at it ,teams could not defend it. Now if Manly win or even make the GF and Turbo is the star player ( as he would have to be) then I will elevate him to the best of all I have seen since the late 60s. Till then young Phillip reigns.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
jimmmy I’ll give away my age here, but I was only a 1yo in 1983. So apart from a few highlights packages I’ve watched over the years. I can’t say I was able to get a full grasp of Blake’s season. Turbo, on the other hand, I’m absolutely loving. But it won’t mean much if they don’t atleast make the GF.
Muzz
Guest
Turbo is a freak. The new rules help him showcase his ability. Looking forward to seeing him shine and entertain us in the coming weeks
Chris
Guest
The headline is clickbait but there is very little argument to say Turbo isn't having a blinder. He didn't make the draw and his stats against Storm were great and his game against Panthers was his first tough one of the season.. but can we not all just rejoice in what we are witnessing? The footy he is playing is brilliant to watch!! Majority of people are but there's always some troll with an argument to every person fulfilling the great Australian stereotype - tall poppy syndrome. I'd hate to see some of the people posting on here at Xmas parties... arguing everyone black and blue until we are all miserable and noone agrees on anything. What a wet blanket. Go Tommy!! Consider him the best or not, don't care, I love it
Joey
Guest
He’a a great player. Dally M this year for sure. Is he proven at rep level ? No doubt, but in finals at club level ? Obviously not yet. He’s only played one. Will he prove himself on Friday and the weeks after? Will be keen so see. Hoping that Panthers play the winner of that game whoever it is. Let’s just put the horse back in front of the cart for the time being. ‘Place in history’ feels like talking about a gun two year old a month out from the Slipper.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
EJ , from your perspective. A better season from Turbo or Phil Blake in 1983.?
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Who is talking about Immortalising him? We are just enjoying watching one of the most influential seasons by a player in rugby league history. Not your cup of tea I suppose.
Joey
Guest
2/9 v Storm 2/9 v Penrith 3/7 v Souths. Quick, immortalise before anyone realises.
Joey
Guest
Pretty much. Look at their first month of the season.
Joey
Guest
Just that the biggest stage he’s been on previously for Manly was a week 1 loss, 4 years ago. Happy for him to even up the tally on Friday if he carries regular season form into the game. Hoping he goes ok. Hell of a lot of pressure on him to do so. If he fails, pretty simple. He’s a flat track bully.
Tony
Roar Guru
He destroyed Queensland
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
So if Tommy was doing the same thing for the West's Tigers and they finished 6th let's say, you wouid say. ' well they didn't beat the Storm or Panthers so he's not that good. His season is up there with the best ever but I still give it to Phil Blake.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Thats an interesting take but I don’t quite think it’s the right one. My take is that without Turbo Manly are barely a top 8 side. With Turbo they are premiership contenders. I think the same thing applied to Parra in 2009 and to a lesser extent Manly in 1983. It’s amazing to me how much he improves the Manly side. He gives them a dose of invincibility, just incredible. Still i give the final verdict to Phil Blake. 27 trys in 23 games. Got them to the GF . I think that is the most incredible season I have ever seen and it will take a GF win for Tom to top that.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
At what point are we saying he won Origin on his own? But the fact he is apparently a flat track bully, I thought it was fair to point out he also won the Wally Lewis Medal. So he stepped up on the biggest stage too.
Joey
Guest
Having a lend of yourself if you say he won on his own there.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
He hasn’t
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I remember Turbo going ok against the Maroons this year as well.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
When did Turbo lose to Souths?
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Turbos is doing things with DCE and Foran as his halves, with rules that benefit his style Hayne did it outside Jeff Robson and Daniel Mortimer
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Ah forgot Penrith.