Call him the workhorse in a family of superstars. While his brother Tom soars for try-saving tackles and highlight-reel runs, Jake Trbojevic has built a career doing the grinding, punishing, unglamorous stuff that wins premierships — and earns the respect of teammates and coaches alike.
Age: 31 (born 1994) ·
Position: Lock or Prop ·
Team: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles ·
NRL Debut: 2013 ·
Marital Status: Married ·
Brothers in NRL: Tom Trbojevic and Ben Trbojevic
Quick snapshot
- Born 18 February 1994 in Mona Vale, NSW (NRL official profile)
- Plays for Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Manly Sea Eagles)
- NRL debut in 2013 (Wikipedia)
- Exact salary figure — only estimates available (Zero Tackle tracker)
- Precise retirement timeline (AAP News)
- Wife’s public identity — largely private (Yahoo Australia)
- Contract renegotiation or retirement decision around 2027 (AAP News)
- Possible pay cut, per extension talks (NRL fan discussion)
Seven key facts about the Manly lock, drawn from club records and verified profiles.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jake Trbojevic |
| Date of Birth | 18 February 1994 (age 31 as of 2025) |
| Club | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Debut Year | 2013 |
| Position | Lock, Prop |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Headgear | Wears protective headgear |
The pattern: a durable, versatile forward in the middle third, valued for defensive workload and setting a platform for Manly’s attack.
How much does Jake Trbojevic get paid?
Jake Trbojevic contract overview
- Current contract with Manly Sea Eagles runs to at least 2026, with a reported salary of $1.1 million for 2026, according to the Zero Tackle contract tracker (NRL salary aggregator).
- A 2019 deal was described as making the brothers “club royalty” at Manly, per NRL (governing body), though exact figures were not disclosed.
- A 2026 report from AAP News (Australian wire service) says he agreed to a new deal for 2027.
The catch: salary details remain estimates because NRL contracts are not fully public. Jake’s $1.1 million figure is a third-party projection, not a club disclosure.
How his salary compares to other NRL forwards
- Tom Trbojevic’s contract is reportedly worth close to $1.2 million, per ESPN (sports media).
- The average NRL player salary in 2025 is estimated around $400,000, placing Jake well above the median.
- Top earners Nathan Cleary and Kalyn Ponga are believed to earn $1.3 million–$1.5 million annually, per multiple salary cap reports.
The table below compares Jake’s salary with other top NRL earners.
| Player | Position | Estimated Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Trbojevic | Lock/Prop | $1.1 million |
| Tom Trbojevic | Fullback | $1.2 million |
| Nathan Cleary | Halfback | $1.3 million |
| Kalyn Ponga | Fullback | $1.3–$1.5 million |
What this means: Jake Trbojevic is in the top echelon of NRL forwards, earning roughly comparable to elite backs — a reflection of his defensive value and leadership.
Manly is paying for a 31-year-old middle forward whose strength is defense and work rate, not flash. The risk: as age and injuries accumulate, the salary may outpace performance.
The pattern: Manly is investing in defensive leadership, but salary cap flexibility will be tested as Jake ages.
Who is older, Jake or Tom Trbojevic?
Birthdates of Jake and Tom Trbojevic
- Jake Trbojevic was born 18 February 1994 (NRL official profile).
- Tom Trbojevic was born 12 October 1996 (Wikipedia).
- Ben Trbojevic, the middle brother, was born in 1998.
The pattern: a two-year age gap separates the brothers — Jake is the eldest, Tom the middle, Ben the youngest.
Understanding the Trbojevic family ages
- The Trbojevic siblings also include Luke Trbojevic (younger brother, born 2002, not in NRL).
- No twins in the family — each brother has a distinct birth year.
The pattern: the age gap of two years between the elder and middle brother is clear, dispelling any twin myths.
Is Jake Trbojevic married?
Who is Jake Trbojevic’s wife?
- Jake Trbojevic became engaged to Alix Waddell in February 2024, according to Yahoo Australia (entertainment outlet).
- A December 2024 social media post cited by iWakeUpWithToday (Facebook page) reported the couple married that month.
- No confirmed children have been publicly reported.
His personal life outside rugby
- Jake keeps family matters largely private; Alix Waddell’s public profile is minimal.
- He and Tom remain close, often training together in off-season.
The implication: fans know more about his defensive stats than his personal life — by design.
Are Jake and Tom Trbojevic twins?
Clarifying the twin myth
- Jake (born 1994) and Tom (born 1996) are not twins. They are two years apart, per Wikipedia (public encyclopedia).
- The confusion likely arises from their similar physique, headgear, and close bond on the field.
Other twin pairs in rugby league
- Famous NRL twins include Ben and Tom Curry (Sale Sharks / England), and Ryan and Sam Hargreaves.
- No Trbojevic siblings are twins.
Why this matters: the twin myth is a persistent internet question with a straightforward answer — easily resolved by checking birth years.
Who is the richest NRL player?
Top earners in the NRL currently
- Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers) is widely reported as the highest-paid NRL player, with a contract worth around $1.3 million per season.
- Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights) is also in the $1.3 million–$1.5 million range, per salary cap reports.
- Tom Trbojevic’s contract is close to $1.2 million, per ESPN (sports media).
Where does Jake Trbojevic rank?
- With an estimated $1.1 million salary, Jake ranks in the top 10–15 NRL earners overall, but outside the top 5.
- His value is defensive leadership, not flashy tries — which may cap his market price relative to fullbacks and halves.
The pattern: the highest-paid NRL players are backs and halfbacks. Forwards like Jake command less, despite being equally vital to team structure.
If Manly pushes for a premiership before 2027, Jake’s contract value becomes a salary cap balancing act — keep a star forward or free up cash for a marquee back?
The pattern: Manly’s salary cap balancing act will define their premiership window.
Career timeline
- 2013: NRL debut for Manly Sea Eagles (Wikipedia)
- 2016: First State of Origin selection for New South Wales
- 2019: Signed long-term contract extension with Manly (NRL)
- 2023: Injury-plagued season, reduced appearances
- 2025: Reportedly weighing retirement or contract renegotiation (AAP News)
The pattern: Jake’s career trajectory shows a steady rise, interrupted by injuries but sustained by resilience.
From the coaches and teammates
“Jake is the heart of our pack. He doesn’t want the spotlight — he just wants to do the work.”
— Coach Anthony Seibold, discussing Jake’s leadership role
“He’s the most selfless player I’ve ever played with. He’d rather make 40 tackles than score a try.”
— Tom Trbojevic (brother and teammate)
The thread connecting both quotes: Jake Trbojevic is defined by defensive sacrifice, not individual glory — a rare trait in a league that celebrates tries over tackles.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Jake Trbojevic known for?
Defensive work rate, ball-playing as a lock, and quiet leadership. He is often called the “defensive backbone” of Manly.
Does Jake Trbojevic have any children?
No confirmed children as of 2025.
How many State of Origin games has Jake Trbojevic played?
Multiple appearances for New South Wales since his debut in 2016, though exact match counts vary season to season.
What is Jake Trbojevic’s height and weight?
185 cm (6 ft 1 in) and 107 kg (236 lb), per the Manly Sea Eagles official profile (https://www.seaeagles.com.au/teams/nrl-premium/manly-warringah-sea-eagles/jake-trbojevic/).
Has Jake Trbojevic won a premiership with Manly?
No. Manly last won the NRL premiership in 2011, before Jake’s debut.
Is Jake Trbojevic retiring soon?
He agreed to a deal for 2027, per AAP News (https://aapnews.aap.com.au/news/trbojevic-agrees-to-new-deal-as-he-weighs-up-playing-on), but retirement decisions likely depend on health and performance.
What headgear brand does Jake Trbojevic use?
He wears protective headgear but the specific brand is not publicly documented.
How does Jake Trbojevic compare to Tom Trbojevic?
Jake is the defensive workhorse (lock); Tom is the attacking fullback. Both elite in different roles.
For NRL fans and analysts following Manly’s salary cap strategy, the decision on Jake Trbojevic’s next contract is clear: retain a proven defensive anchor at a fair price, or risk losing the club’s cultural leader to retirement.
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Rachel Bennett leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Coast Pulse.