Missing $300,000 could do the unimaginable - push Tom Trbojevic out of Manly Sea Eagles
The Sea Eagles are bracing for the possibility of superstar Tom Trbojevic entering the November 1 open market after the club’s board tabled a revised contract.
There are increasing fears that Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic could shock the NRL by entering the November 1 open market unless the club reinstates the $100,000 a season sliced off his contract offer.
Well-placed sources indicate a new three-year deal was just about completed – Trbojevic was to receive around $850,000 to $900,000 a season – before Manly lodged a revised offer worth around $750,000 a year.
It is understood the Manly board decided to cut Trbojevic’s contract offer.
Trbojevic is believed to be bitterly disappointed at the submission being $100,000 short of what he felt was an agreed-upon deal.
Trbojevic is highly unlikely to accept the amended offer and will now consider going to market unless the club can increase the offer to its original price.
The club and Trbojevic want a deal to be secured but the two parties appear to be drifting apart in negotiations.
Pushing and goading Trbojevic during contract negotiations could prove a dangerous mistake by Manly’s board.
A meeting last week between both parties, including Trbojevic’s manager Paul Sutton, appeared to seal the deal which only required final board approval.
But then the adjusted offer arrived – much to Trbojevic’s disappointment.
Sutton will now attempt to renegotiate a new deal which includes the missing $100,000 a season.
It would be a shattering blow for Manly should Trbojevic decide to enter the open market.
And while it’s unimaginable, there is an outside chance Trbojevic could leave Manly unless a new contract can be sorted.
Trbojevic has previously said he would never play against Manly.
There are still hopes that the stand-off can be resolved in the coming weeks.
Trbojevic has temporarily left his contract drama behind in Sydney with he and fiance Kristi in Bali for a two-week off-season holiday.
Off contract after next season, the champion Manly wants to sign a three-year extension at Brookvale until the end of 2029.
There was speculation last week that Trbojevic may look at options in the English Super League.
Trbojevic was said to be comfortable with the $850,000 to $900,000 a season offer, a sizeable pay cut from his current $1.1m annual contract.
Manly’s season was essentially derailed through a contract drama earlier this season involving departing captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
The November 1 deadline is just five weeks away.
www.smh.com.au
