Young prop has been a beacon of light in a testing year
- MANLY DAILY
- JULY 24, 2015 4:34PM
- Zorba's View
Jake Trbojevic is a lighthouse in stormy seas for Manly in the club’s worst season in 11 years.
The young prop continues to impress against the best and most experienced front rowers in the NRL week after week.
Most experts have him right in the running for rookie of the year for 2015.
For him to be even considered from a side such a long way down the table is proof that the Sea Eagles have a good ’un.
It’s ironic that Jake has blossomed under the shadow of his younger brother Tom who has also made a wonderful entry in the top grade after proving way too good for the under-20s.
Most scouts who saw the youngsters come through the junior ranks at Mona Vale predicted that Tom would be an instant success.
The majority of the same judges predicted it would take several seasons for Jake to gain the recognition he has.
To do so in a side which has won six games in 17 this season is a monumental effort.
Support for Lyon
Suggestions that skipper Jamie Lyon won’t be at the Sea Eagles next season are way off the mark.
There is nothing but support for Lyon in the club and this has been portrayed to him before his departure to Auckland for today’s clash against the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium.
While Lyon has had an injury-interrupted season he is showing signs of his top form, particularly in the recent win over the Gold Coast Titans where he ran riot in his best attacking game of the season.
The laid-back Lyon is unconcerned by the reports.
“I just play and leave it at that, ”Lyon said.
Treat for true fans
The true Manly fans will get an overdose of maroon and white if they have Foxtel today.
From 10.40am it will be back-to-back to back Sea Eagles v Warriors from Mt. Smart Stadium in Auckland beginning with the NYC under-20s, followed by the VB NSW Cup and then the NRL clash at 3pm.
It was a logistic nightmare moving the three teams on Thursday and on Friday.
The NRL side trained at North Harbour and looked sharp.
Daly Cherry-Evans has put his hand up to play.
In a refreshing attitude he said before departure: “It’s backs to the wall; we need to win and I want to be on the field with my teammates,” he said.
DCE’s shoulder injury is still troubling him but medical advice is that he is unlikely to cause further damage if he decides to play.
The locals are looking forward to his halfback duel with Warriors livewire Shaun Johnson.
