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Ben Trbojevic inspired by brothers

3 minute read

Ben Trbojevic has been inspired by his brothers Tom and Jake since the latter's NRL debut in 2013, but he wants to be his own man in his rookie season at Manly.

DAVID KLEMMER.
DAVID KLEMMER. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Ben Trbojevic remembers more of his brother Jake's NRL debut in 2013 than he does his own.

That's not just because his maiden NRL performance against Newcastle a fortnight lasted just 89 seconds before he was knocked out by David Klemmer on the bell.

But rather, because watching Jake run out for Manly for the first time at Brookvale lit the fuse for him at age 11 to desperately want to play first grade.

"His debut was a shocker," Ben recalls.

"He was in under-20s and he wasn't expecting it and he just got a call that said you're playing this week.

"I remember watching it, I was just sitting on the hill with a bunch of family and friends and it was just 'wow, how awesome is this'.

"It definitely made me want to do the same."

Aged 19, Ben was solid in his second outing again North Queensland on Friday night and remains determined to be known as his own man, even though he's now in the same team as his NSW Origin star brothers Jake and Tom.

The centre-turned-second-rower came through Manly's ranks as part of a successful age group that also included Josh Schuster.

For part of that time, he admits pressure that came with his last name was tough amid the expectation since his early teens that he'd turn into a similar success story to his brothers.

"You look at what they're done and you know people are asking if you're going to be like them," Ben said.

"But it was still pretty cool. I am proud of them, so to see them doing what they're doing.

"Like watching Tom the other night (in State of Origin I), it was like 'wow. How cool is this? My brother is killing it!

"And just growing up when we were younger watching Origin together and now they're there doing it."

But beyond that he's also well aware he has two of the best role models and supporters acting as his inspiration in his first year in first grade.

"Just seeing how hard they work every day at training and how much they put in," he said.

"They are always there for me and telling me what I need to work on and even things at home like diet.

"They are always into me - they're such a support and inspiration for me. Seeing what they do makes me want to follow in their footsteps."

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