Manly’s rollercoaster campaign continued last weekend as their three-game winning streak was abruptly halted by Canterbury.
The Sea Eagles were swept aside through the middle by the Bulldogs as their attacking weapons were simply given no chance to influence the match.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the ball, Tom Trbojevic toiled in defence as Bronson Xerri consantly made hay in the Sunday afternoon sunshine against him.
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Will Tom Trbojevic return to fullback for the Sea Eagles this season?
It wasn’t the first time a team has singled out the representative star while he has been defending in the centres, although his four missed tackles against the Dogs is the highest tally he has produced in 2025.
"I still feel like I’ve been able to do what I do best and that’s move around the field and play footy," Trbojevic said ahead of Round 22.
"It wasn’t our best performance [against the Dogs] and that’s me included.
"It’s a different position, so you’ve got to learn new things. Defensively, it’s a lot different."
Manly’s talisman has had another injury-interrupted season so far, with Anthony Seibold opting to move him into the centres midway through the year.
Upon his first game out on an edge, the Sea Eagles eased to a 28-10 win over the Wests Tigers, while they also then beat South Sydney and Melbourne with their new backline configuration.
Turbo has bagged two tries while in the No.4 jersey and has also provided an assist in each of his four contests except in the victory over the Rabbitohs.
The positional switch was devised to try and get Trbojevic up to speed and away from the rigours of fullback duties.
But Greg Alexander has called for the experiment to be brought to an end as Manly’s finals hopes hang in the balance.
"I want to see Tom Trbojevic return to fullback," Alexander declared on SEN.
"He’s played four games in the centres and has been able to get through those games.
"He’s fine and if he’s able to take the field for 80 minutes, I don’t see why they don’t just play him at fullback. It’s his best position."
Lehi Hopoate has been handed the No.1 jersey during this run with the young gun often impressing at the back with his strong carries out of yardage and ability to produce something out of nothing.
Yet in his past four games, while Turbo has been stationed in the centres, he has seen his attacking numbers fall dramatically.
The 20-year-old hasn’t scored a try since he last played on the wing in Round 12, while he has registered just three assists since first moving to fullback in Round 13.
The lack of results in the red zone has led to Alexander calling for Seibold to quickly reverse his decision.
"Hopoate is a great young player but he’s just as effective on the wing," Alexander argued. "Tom needs to be fullback."
However, ahead of the Sea Eagles’ crucial clash against the Sydney Roosters on home soil, Trbojevic has revealed he expects to remain in the centres for the rest of the season.
"It’s my indication that I’ll stay there," Turbo said.
"It’s not something that’s too dissimilar, but I’ve just got to get better.
"I obviously got moved there, so my focus is I’ve just got to be the best version of myself there."