Trbojevic brothers predict big future for Barrett

Manly stars Jake and Tom Trbojevic have paid tribute to departing coach Trent Barrett and predicted he will be successful at another club as they prepare for the return of two-time premiership-winning mentor Des Hasler to the Sea Eagles.

The Trbojevic brothers only spoke briefly to Hasler after his appointment as they were in camp with the Australian team but are looking forward to playing under him next season.

However, the Kangaroos and NSW Origin representatives expressed their disappointment at Barrett's departure after an ugly falling out with Sea Eagles management prompted him to give 12 months notice of his resignation last July.

"Trent is a legend. A lot of what I have learned playing footy has been under him," Tom said. "He has probably been the most influential coach of me with my game and I hold him in the highest regard.

"I am sure he will find somewhere to go. I am not sure where that will be but he will definitely make that place better because he is a great coach and a great person.

"The big thing for me is that he respects everyone, you know what you get from him, he is honest all the time and I think you need that with footy coaches because it runs on trust."

The brothers were speaking after Thursday night's launch of the Blues alternate jersey for next year's Origin match in Perth, which they helped model with St George Illawarra forward Tyson Frizell at The Star on Thursday night.

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While they expressed enthusiasm about Hasler's return to the club, Jake was also keen to talk about the impact Barrett had had on his rise to Origin and Test level.

"I was a big fan of Trent Barrett, he is a great man and he was a great coach for us," Jake said. "I have really learned a lot in the last three years so it is sad to see that he is not going to be there but I guess that is footy and that is the way it goes.

"I honestly can't speak highly enough of him and any club that gets him will be all the better for having him. I have honestly learned so much and really developed as a player, as have so many other players. I have a better understanding of the game from playing under him.

"I know he will get another job somewhere and I know he will be a great coach and have great success in his career.

"He has got great values and he works really hard so he is always going to succeed. Even [in] the last three years we didn't have the results but I think it has been a successful three years and I think a lot of players have gotten better from playing under him."

Jake said Hasler had phoned him after getting the job and Daly Cherry-Evans had spoken highly of the new coach after playing under him in Manly's 2011 premiership team.

Both Jake and Tom were in the club's junior system at the time, but they did not have any contact with Hasler.

"In 2011 when he left, I was a development player in the Harold Matthews [Cup] team, I wasn't even playing yet," Tom said.

"Obviously, he played for Manly and he has coached Manly to two premierships. Hopefully, he can get us to another premiership, that would be great."

Jake added: "It is exciting, Des has had great success at the club and he had great success at the Bulldogs so I think it will be good. He is obviously a guy who has den a lot in the game so it will be good."