He will be one of the hottest commodities on the NRL open market come November 1, but Manly star Tom Trbojevic says he can't imagine himself leaving the northern beaches.
In a statement that will be music to the ears of the Sea Eagles faithful and coach Des Hasler, the NSW and Australian outside back has played down the prospect of leaving the "insular peninsula".
Trbojevic, as well as brother Jake, will come off contract at the end of the 2020 season, meaning he will be able to sign with rival clubs following the conclusion of the 2019 season on October 31.
The Trbojevic brothers have become synonymous with Manly and it seems inconceivable that they would ever leave.
However their predecessors, the Stewart brothers - Brett and Glenn - were also widely expected to be Sea Eagles for life before Glenn was forced to South Sydney in 2015 and finished his career in France and England.
A Mona Vale junior who is Manly to the core, Trbojevic said he hadn't started contract negotiations but couldn't imagine pulling on another jersey.
"I haven't really talked to the club, it hasn't even crossed my mind, it's still a long way away, I've still got two more seasons at the club," Trbojevic told AAP.
"I couldn't imagine it (playing elsewhere). When we cross that path, we'll see what happens. But I'm really looking forward to having a good year."
Trbojevic is expected to miss the opening two rounds due to a hamstring injury which he suffered in the Sea Eagles' trial loss to Cronulla on February 23.
The 22-year-old has begun doing some light running on the treadmill and is taking a cautious approach with his recovery for fear of aggravating the problem and missing a chunk of the start of the season.
"I've never done one before," Trbojevic said.
"They don't feel like much but when you start running you feel them.
"Round three we're looking at, so hopefully I'll be back on the footy field then."
