Dutchy
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Good read, for the DT.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...es-matthew-johns/story-fnp0lyn3-1227472796579
Jake and Tom Trbojevic are the future of the Manly Sea Eagles, writes Matthew Johns
Kieran Foran: "Glad we can fully focus on footy now"
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The Trbojevic brothers, Jake and Tom, are class acts in every aspect of their lives.
On the field theyre the future of the Manly Sea Eagles.
Jake is the best young front-rower in the game and is enjoying a breakout season and getting better with each passing week.
Tom is a sporting prodigy who was wanted by not just most NRL clubs, but rugby union and AFL he was desperately pursued by the Sydney Swans, whose talent scouts said theyd never seen athleticism like it.
Jake Trbojevic celebrates a try scored by his brother Tom Trbojevic (19) against the Bron
Jake Trbojevic celebrates a try scored by his brother Tom Trbojevic (19) against the Broncos.
In all my life in rugby league, Ive never seen anyone with the freakish ability to score tries like Tom Trbojevic.
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But these two young men arent just terrific rugby league, they are outstanding young men.
THE FAMILY
The Trbojevic family are well known on the Northern Beaches, particularly when it comes to sport. Few give more of their time to junior sport than the Trbojevics.
Big John Trbojevic is a local legend. If youre reading this in Moree, Kurri Kurri or Coffs Harbour youll know what Big Johns about, because every town has one.
Hes the bloke who gives 10 times as much as he takes. If theres a side that needs coaching, a raffle that needs running, a BBQ that needs cooking or a kid who needs pulling into line, Big Johns the man.
Ballin on shoulder charge: "Safety needs to come first"
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Big John, like so many old footballers, walks with a limp from two dodgy knees caused by playing on too many hard, dodgy ovals back in the day.
If you go down to Newport Oval every Saturday morning, youre certain to see the entire Trbojevic clan down there.
They are the great champions of the Mona Vale Raiders Junior Rugby League club.
Every Saturday morning Big John is down there, limping around, doing whatever needs to be done.
Jake and Toms mum, Melissa, is in the canteen, always with a warm smile from early morning to, at times, late afternoon.
Jake and Tom have two younger brothers as well.
Theres 15-year-old Luke, who is an outstanding cricketer, a wicketkeeper batsman. Then theres 13-year-old Ben, who is already over 6ft and showing some serious signs of rugby league talent himself.
Tom Trbojevic and Jake Trbojevic are helping out with the Mona Vale Raiders.
Tom Trbojevic and Jake Trbojevic are helping out with the Mona Vale Raiders.
Luke and Ben, like Tom and Jake before them, spend their Saturday mornings giving back to their junior club, whether that be umpiring in cricket or refereeing the mini and mod football.
All four Trbojevic boys dont get their sense of duty and community spirit by accident, these young men are well raised.
EDUCATION
Finding the balance for a young footballer, between being fully dedicated to your studies and giving yourself the best opportunity to make it in rugby league, has never been more difficult.
NRL junior rep players train more now than we first graders did back in the 90s.
Its hard for school work not to suffer.
It was no different for the Trbojevic family.
Young Tom was involved in so much sport and on top of that, representative teams, that John and Melissa had real concerns how he would find the time for study, particularly since most of Toms subjects were of the 4 unit variety.
On the day the HSC results were announced Tom was on the training field and he anxiously asked the Manly trainer if he wouldnt mind checking the results for him.
Geoff Toovey says he'd love to coach the Kangaroos
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The trainer returned with Toms score, 94.3%.
Tom has continued his studies at University, with a double degree in Applied Finance and Economics.
Jake himself was a top drawer student with a Bachelor of Management in Sport and Exercise.
CHARACTER
One Saturday last year I ducked down to my local Ex-Servicemens Club and ran into Manly stars Jamie Lyon and Steve Matai.
I enjoyed their company for a couple of hours until Lyon declared hed head home for dinner and called young Jake Trbojevic to come and pick him up and take him home.
I was a little surprised at this arrangement. Lyon and Matai told me Jake wasnt much for alcohol and had told them, call me when you want to head home and Ill get you. Apparently he did this regularly.
Jake turned up and I spent about half an hour with him and could not have been more impressed.
At the time Jake was going through a frustrating period, hed suffered a number of serious foot and ankle injuries which were preventing him from establishing himself as a first grader.
He told me he was suffering great anxiety, terrified that injuries were going to prevent him from realising his dream.
Jake Trbojevic on the charge against the Warriors.
Jake Trbojevic on the charge against the Warriors.
At that point I knew Jake was special, that deep rooted fear of NOT making it, is a champions quality.
Manly stalwart Peter Peters told me Jake is the only player hes ever encountered who asks to be put in direct contact with charity requests or simply people just wanting to get a jersey signed.
I might also add that this season, Jake volunteered to be the ground announcer at every Manly junior rep game at Brookvale Oval.
Its Jakes way of thanking the Sea Eagles for his opportunity.
I only got to meet Tom last week. He and two mates called Fox Sports and got tickets to our Monday Night Show.
Our producer came in surprised and told us Tom Trbojevic had just arrived with the rest of the audience.
I invited him into the Fox Sports green room before the show so Gordy, Hindy and Fletch had the opportunity to meet the young star.
What blew us all away firstly was Toms stature, he literally towered over Gordon. But secondly, it was his polite, humble nature which left the greatest impression.
Willie Mason has his say on the concussion regulations
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FRIDAY NIGHT
On Friday night at Brookvale Oval Manly walk a tightrope in an effort to make the finals.
Tom has been named to play in the under 20s but I refuse to believe it. Surely hell be a late inclusion, at least in the 17.
His type of talent can no longer be denied. Against the Warriors U20s two weeks back he showed that hes gone past that level of competition many months ago.
His performance last week against the Broncos was that of a young man whose time has come.
None-the-less you wont hear any complaints from Tom.
In Jakes case Friday night presents a great challenge.
Souths may not have the middle-third power game of 2014 but they still present a formidable task for a young front-rower still learning the ropes.
If Jake and his fellow forwards can hold Souths through the middle, Manly win.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...es-matthew-johns/story-fnp0lyn3-1227472796579