HappilyManly
Journey Man
Young Sea Eagles get chance to fly
Bright new faces ready to have a crack at Sharks
Young hooker Manase Fainu is playing in tonight’s trial against the Sharks. Picture: Gregg Porteous
MANLY’S impressive investment in youth will be on show in tonight’s trial against Cronulla, with coach Trent Barrett throwing a premiership starting opportunity to a host of youngsters.
Barrett said his talented but mostly untried players were counting the hours until the 7.30pm kick-off.
“They can’t wait. They want to have a crack and aren’t overawed in the least,” Barrett said.
The side represents a big part of the future of the Sea Eagles with star juniors from last season in Tom Wright, Cade Cust, Manase Fainu, Jade Anderson and Taniela Paseka getting a chance along with forward buys Toafofoa Shipley from the Warriors and Jack Gosiewski from South Sydney.
Manly have been careful not to rush the young players into the NRL, with former GPS sprint and rugby star Tom Wright an example.
Wright has spent two seasons learning the game and training with the top squad. He has shown enormous potential and is deemed ready to get his chance in the centres alongside last season’s boom youngster Brian Kelly.
With star centre Dylan Walker out for the opening month of the premiership there is an opportunity for Wright to grab a starting spot for the opening round.
NO RISK FOR JORGE
TRY-SCORING dynamo Jorge Taufua won’t risk a return from a nine-month injury break and is unlikely to get a trial before the start of the premiership against Newcastle on March 9.
The left wing specialist is doing everything asked of him at training but remains wary of coming back early from a major knee operation.
The last time he was firstchoice goalkicker was with Mona Vale Raiders under- 17s.
OUT AND ABOUT
THE Sea Eagles have received tremendous feedback this week following a school and junior league club blitz by players on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Players were at 15 schools on Tuesday, with Tom Trbojevic was a hit at his former school, Mona Vale Primary.
On Wednesday players visited junior clubs, with skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic going to the Beacon Hill Bears, Narraweena Hawks and Cromer Kingfishers..
The club is making a genuine effort to do more appearances in the community under new CEO Lyall Gorman, who has made an impressive start to his role across all areas of the club.
JAKE KICKS ON
A FEW weeks back in this column I revealed the goalkicking prowess of Sea Eagles young international backrower Jake Trbojevic.
Since then Trbojevic has continued to impress at training under kicking coach Damien Hill.
He has a 90 per cent strike rate — the best of any kicker in the club.
Coach Trent Barrett speaks glowingly of Trbojevic’s goalkicking talent.
“He handles it with ease and isn’t phased by it. Having goalkicking forwards isn’t new — Cameron Smith for the Storm, Queensland and Australia is modern day proof of that,” Barrett said.
So how serious is Trbojevic about the role?
“I would do it if it helps the side for sure but I don’t think that’ll happen. I’ll keep up practising with the boys at training to keep my eye in,” he said.
http://newslocal.digitaleditions.com.au
Bright new faces ready to have a crack at Sharks

Young hooker Manase Fainu is playing in tonight’s trial against the Sharks. Picture: Gregg Porteous
MANLY’S impressive investment in youth will be on show in tonight’s trial against Cronulla, with coach Trent Barrett throwing a premiership starting opportunity to a host of youngsters.
Barrett said his talented but mostly untried players were counting the hours until the 7.30pm kick-off.
“They can’t wait. They want to have a crack and aren’t overawed in the least,” Barrett said.
The side represents a big part of the future of the Sea Eagles with star juniors from last season in Tom Wright, Cade Cust, Manase Fainu, Jade Anderson and Taniela Paseka getting a chance along with forward buys Toafofoa Shipley from the Warriors and Jack Gosiewski from South Sydney.
Manly have been careful not to rush the young players into the NRL, with former GPS sprint and rugby star Tom Wright an example.
Wright has spent two seasons learning the game and training with the top squad. He has shown enormous potential and is deemed ready to get his chance in the centres alongside last season’s boom youngster Brian Kelly.
With star centre Dylan Walker out for the opening month of the premiership there is an opportunity for Wright to grab a starting spot for the opening round.
NO RISK FOR JORGE
TRY-SCORING dynamo Jorge Taufua won’t risk a return from a nine-month injury break and is unlikely to get a trial before the start of the premiership against Newcastle on March 9.
The left wing specialist is doing everything asked of him at training but remains wary of coming back early from a major knee operation.
The last time he was firstchoice goalkicker was with Mona Vale Raiders under- 17s.
OUT AND ABOUT
THE Sea Eagles have received tremendous feedback this week following a school and junior league club blitz by players on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Players were at 15 schools on Tuesday, with Tom Trbojevic was a hit at his former school, Mona Vale Primary.
On Wednesday players visited junior clubs, with skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic going to the Beacon Hill Bears, Narraweena Hawks and Cromer Kingfishers..
The club is making a genuine effort to do more appearances in the community under new CEO Lyall Gorman, who has made an impressive start to his role across all areas of the club.
JAKE KICKS ON
A FEW weeks back in this column I revealed the goalkicking prowess of Sea Eagles young international backrower Jake Trbojevic.
Since then Trbojevic has continued to impress at training under kicking coach Damien Hill.
He has a 90 per cent strike rate — the best of any kicker in the club.
Coach Trent Barrett speaks glowingly of Trbojevic’s goalkicking talent.
“He handles it with ease and isn’t phased by it. Having goalkicking forwards isn’t new — Cameron Smith for the Storm, Queensland and Australia is modern day proof of that,” Barrett said.
So how serious is Trbojevic about the role?
“I would do it if it helps the side for sure but I don’t think that’ll happen. I’ll keep up practising with the boys at training to keep my eye in,” he said.
http://newslocal.digitaleditions.com.au
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