Townsend: Why Faulolo is Manly's fullback for the future

Since making his NRL debut in 2015, the Manly Sea Eagles have not had to look far when it comes to their No. 1 in Tom Trbojevic.

When fit, the NSW and Australian representative has been one of the competition's best, seeing him win the Dally M in 2021.

But has the club found their next starting fullback in Clayton Faulolo?

In his second season on Manly’s top 30 list, the 26-year-old has found a starting spot in Kieran Foran’s side.

Since the Kiwi took over at Round 5, Faulolo has featured in every single match up to Round 14 before picking up a hamstring injury, which he returned from last week.

In that time, he played across various positions in the backs, including filling in at fullback in Trbojevic’s absence.

In the four games he started with the No. 1 jersey, the boy from Penrith found the try line in every game alongside 14 tackle breaks, four line breaks and three try assists.

As a result of his form before the injury and Trbojevic turning 30 in October, Townsend has seen enough to suggest Faulalo should be the club’s next starting fullback while the 2021 Dally M Medallist moves into the centres.

“What I've seen from Clayton Faulalo in his games at fullback, he is absolutely a fullback of the future for this Manly side,” Townsend said on SEN’s Front Office with Chad Townsend.

“Turbo (Tom Trbojevic), obviously he's gonna continue; he's ageing, he's older, his best football when you compare Turbo (now) to 2021 Turbo, I don't know if we'll see him get back to those heights.

“He's a very, very good footballer, Turbo. But I think the decision will be based around what is best for him (and) what is best for the football side.

“I think Clayton Faulalo, the move there to put him to fullback and Turbo back to the centres to get the longevity out of his career.”

Faulalo is contracted with the Sea Eagles through to 2029, having re-signed in June, while Trbojevic comes out of contract in 2027.

The Sea Eagles are back at Brookvale Oval on Sunday when they host North Queensland.

Kick-off is at 4:05pm AEST.