Manly coach Des Hasler has no qualms over whether Brendan Elliot can fill Tom Trbojevic’s mega-sized boots headed into the NRL’s finals.
As Parramatta counterpart Brad Arthur labelled Trbojevic’s absence “one less headache” he had to worry about on Friday night, Hasler sung the praises of Elliot on Thursday.
Elliot had never played more than 12 games in a season before arriving at the Sea Eagles this year, but has regularly been called upon to deputise for Trbojevic.
The utility back has started at No.1 in 11 games, warming to the task as Manly were without their star fullback for the majority of the first half of the year.
And now Trbojevic is gone for the remainder of the season through a ruptured pectoral, Hasler has seen enough to have no doubt that Elliot is up the challenge of the No.1 jersey come finals.
“He’s a real footballer. A competitor and a real pro in how he approaches it,” Hasler said.
“He’ll be fine, I promise you.”
Manly have won just four of their past 13 without Trbojevic, but have shown flashes of brilliance without him this year.
They beat Cronulla without both he and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans in May in arguably their best performance of the year.
They’ll also have Friday’s clash with Parramatta as a solid warm-up match for the finals, even if no top-four spot is on the line after South Sydney beat the Roosters.
“You take confidence in the people who are going out on the field,” Hasler said.
“They know what it’s about. They’re still experienced out there. They know what their role is.
“The great unknown is the outcome. There is a great belief in this team.”
Arthur said his side wouldn’t view Elliot as an easy player for the Eels to target at Bankwest Stadium, but admitted life was easier facing Manly when there wasn’t a Trbojevic at fullback.
“He (Trbojevic) is a quality player so that’s one less headache that we have. He definitely played really well against us last time,” Arthur said.
“But they’ve been at their best when they’ve had a few things go against them.
“They’ve got that real tough, hardened mentality that Dessie’s put into them. They aim up when they’re backs are against the wall.”