Gutho & Jake - The Swoop 27 April 2014
Clinton Gutherson and Jake Trbojevic are the latest hot prospects to roll off the Sea Eagles production line and into the NRL.
"From Harold Matts we played together so getting to debut together was a massive honour and just a privilege", Gutherson said. Growing up playing against each other, together and then coming into the top grade which was both our goals was definitely very rewarding", Trbojevic agreed.
The pair enjoyed their first taste of NRL football in round 26 last year and for Gutherson, a try on debut has left him hungry for more. That was one of the best feelings ve ever had, the 19-year old said. It was just crazy. Everything went silent. I just got up and looked back and all the boys were coming in. I won't forget that.
For 20-year old Jake. the highlight of his fledgling career may still be a few years away. Younger brother Tom is a highly-rated fullback in the National Youth Competition and they both have aspirations of establishing NRL careers together. "Definitely it'd mean a lot. It's a dream of Tom's to play first grade too so to play together would be great, but you know there's a long way to go, a lot of work to do but hopefully one day", Jake said.
Big things are predicted of the Trbojevic brothers and many are hoping they can emulate the brilliant careers of Manly's other famous siblings, Glenn and Brett Stewart. "That'd be good but it's very far off. They've played a lot of first grade and it's very far off but that'd be nice to do that one day I guess", he said.
In keeping with Manly's tight knit culture Gutherson and Trbojevic are great mates but admit they have also had their moments while playing for their respective clubs. We had a fair bit of rivalry at Cromer and Mona Vale. We didn't really like each other, Gutherson revealed. There were a few iffy moments but I think it was always fun.
Manly's senior NRL Stars have already anointed the pair to lead the club to more successful years in the future. "They should be here for a long time", Watmough said. "They believe in what we've built over the last 10 or 12 years and they've bought into it. They love the culture here and they'll be the next quys driving what we've built."