Peter Peters fires back at Anthony Seibold in Tom Trbojevic furore
The Manly legend has doubled down on his Tom Trbojevic opinion.
Life member and premiership-winning Manly player Peter Peters has warned coach Anthony Seibold he won't be gagged by a newcomer to the club as the spat over Tom Trbojevic's future deepens. Peters, whose association with the club goes back to the late 1960s, stands by his call the Sea Eagles' superstar must seriously consider early retirement if he cannot shake off his litany of injuries.
He argues the club would not be getting value for money if Trbojevic continues to spend extended periods on the sideline. Seibold was unimpressed with Peters' comments, labelling them "disappointing" and "uneducated".
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On Wednesday, an unrepentant Zorba told Yahoo Sport Australia: "I'm not going to be told what I can say and what I can’t say. I never have over a long, long period and I'm not going to stop now."
"I started with Manly as a journalist first and a player second. That was good enough for Arko (former club boss Ken Arthurson) and coaches like Bozo (Bob Fulton) and Frank Stanton and Ron Willey to accept and not once question it, so I don’t see why he (Seibold) stuck his head in at such an early stage.
"He could have rung me and we could have had a discussion but he didn’t bother to do that. I'm entitled to my opinion and plenty will agree with what I said and plenty won’t."
Peter Peter's advises Manly for a plan B
Asked about Seibold's specific wording in his criticism, Peters said: "He (Seibold) was asked the question and had to answer it and obviously he was trying to make his mark as the new coach.
"I wish him every success but I think there should be a plan B for Tom and a plan C, including considering a move to centre. Outside of my family, Manly is my greatest love. I bleed maroon and white," he added.
"I want the club to do well and I want Tommy to do well and play the brilliant football we all know he is capable of. I want the side to win but I won't be gagged on what I can say – never have, never will."
Peters will be at Brookvale Oval for Manly's first game of the season against Canterbury on March 4 and is hopeful Seibold can lead a revival after a forgettable 2022 campaign. "I'll be there supporting them – they're not going to keep me away," he declared.
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