The Manly Sea Eagles, one of the National Rugby League’s most storied franchises, have announced a major off-field shakeup to their leadership group, with head coach Kieran Foran confirming that club fan favorite Jake Trbojevic will step into a permanent co-captaincy role alongside his younger brother Tom.
Tom Trbojevic was named the club’s sole captain earlier this year, taking over from club legend Daly Cherry-Evans who departed for the Sydney Roosters at the end of the 2024 season. The star fullback has been sidelined in recent weeks with a hamstring injury, but is on track to make his return to the field next Thursday when Manly faces off against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
The 2025 NRL season got off to a disastrous start for Manly: the club dropped its first three consecutive matches, resulting in the immediate dismissal of former head coach Anthony Seibold. Foran, who originally joined the club’s staff as an assistant coach, stepped into the interim head coaching role and quickly turned the team’s on-field fortunes around. Impressed by his rapid turnaround of the squad, Manly’s front office signed Foran to a three-year permanent head coaching contract just weeks into his interim tenure.
During Tom Trbojevic’s injury absence, Jake Trbojevic stepped up to lead the side with remarkable composure and results. That strong performance laid the groundwork for Foran’s decision to share the captaincy between the two brothers, a move that aligns with the team’s current chemistry.
In addition to the co-captaincy appointment, powerful back-rower Haumole Olakau’atu has been named the club’s sole vice-captain. The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Olakau’atu, who was recently dropped from the New South Wales Blues State of Origin side and will be eager to prove his selection worth against the Bulldogs next week.
Speaking on the leadership changes, Foran emphasized that the move was a natural fit for the evolving squad. “Tom and Jake are the natural leaders of this group, and it makes sense to have them as co-captains,” Foran told reporters. “Jake has done an amazing job in Tom’s absence and we knew he would. He stepped up when the team needed him. That’s what leaders do. Haumole has also been wonderful this year, not only in his performances but also in the leadership he brings to the group.
Right now, what’s best for the team is to have both Tom and Jake sharing the captaincy, supported by Haumole as vice-captain. It’s a pretty straightforward decision to be honest. We are lucky as a group to have two legends of the club leading the way.”
For Jake Trbojevic, the new role caps off a positive stretch that has cleared up uncertainty around his future in the NRL. Earlier this year, widespread speculation suggested 2025 would be his final season in top-flight rugby league, but the forward has confirmed he will remain with Manly through the 2027 season. A long-time fan favorite and one-club man, Trbojevic said he was eager to take on the new responsibility.
“I’ve just loved the past few months, and I’ll do whatever is best for the team,” he said. “If Foz (Foran) and Tom want this, then I’m all in. Leading this amazing group of players and playing for this great club is a privilege.”