How NSW Blues rookie Jake Trbojevic rose to State of Origin stardom
Dean Ritchie, The Daily Telegraph
May 23, 2017 9:05pm
Subscriber only
BEING a volunteer coach is often a thankless task but Manly’s latest State of Origin star, Jake Trbojevic, can’t praise his junior mentor enough.
Mona Vale Raiders life member Steve Wilson coached Jake from the under 7s right through to the under 17s.
In fact, Wilson coached all four Trbojevic brothers — Manly champions Jake and Tom along with younger brothers Ben and Luke. Ben is a rising footy star who many tip will also make the leap into the NRL ranks.
WRAP: A full wrap of all the news from Blues camp
RETURN: Is Hayne ready for an Origin comeback?
Mona Vale Raiders coach Steve Wilson, who coached all four Trbojevic brothers. Photo: Adam Yip
This week however belongs to Jake, who will make his NSW debut in next Wednesday night’s series opener in Brisbane.
And Jake has singled Wilson for special mention.
“My parents (John and Melissa) were great to me growing up and giving me the opportunity. I loved playing junior league for Mona Vale. I started in the under 7s. Steve was my first coach. It’s funny now, but I was really nervous for my first game. I didn’t want to go on,” he said.
“He was very encouraging. He got us ready to play. We had a great time back then.”
LISTEN! Daily Telegraph journalists David Riccio, Dean Ritchie and Fatima Kdouh wrap up a hectic day one in NSW Blues camp. They talk Josh Dugan, Mitchell Pearce and why Laurie Daley’s men have that “winning feeling”.
Wilson was beaming with pride when asked to explain why Jake became an Origin star.
“I think you have a kid here who just loves footy more than any other kid,” Wilson said.
“Jake came down to the club as a seven-year-old. I remember the first session, he actually didn’t train because he was that shy.
“I coached him for 11 years straight. We had a lot of fun. I watched him grow to where he is now.
NSW Blues rookie Jake Trbojevic. Picture: AAP
“In the latter years, I always believed he could get to where he is now. Jake was always competing, of course.
“I also coached Tom for five years. I have Ben this year in the under 16s and coached Luke at school and on weekends in the under 13s.”
Jake, polite and humble, will come off the bench for the Blues despite having already played two Tests for Australia.
His debut will be bittersweet — as happy as he was to win selection, Jake couldn’t help but feel for younger brother Tom, a NSW certainty until injured recently against Brisbane.
Manly Sea Eagles brothers Jake and Tom Trbojevic. Picture: Phil Hillyard
“I felt bad for him lying on the couch,” Jake said. “But he was happy for me.
“Tom wasn’t too upset. Obviously with injuries, that’s the way it goes. He’s only young. It was disappointing to see him out but he will be back.”
Jake grew up watching Origin and cheering for he Blues.
“I’m really looking forward to the whole experience. It’s going to be a great week,” he said.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play State of Origin — it’s pretty special. I’ll be pretty nervous but I’m looking forward to seeing what it’s all about.”
