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Jake Trbojevic’s strong response to Manly’s first win under Kieran Foran has strengthened his push to extend his NRL career.

Kieran Foran's arrival as Manly's interim coach may prove influential in Jake Trbojevic's decision over his long-term future, after a sharp turnaround in form and morale at the Sea Eagles.

Trbojevic's NRL career has been under scrutiny in recent weeks, with repeated head knocks and a dip in performance prompting suggestions the 32-year-old could retire at the end of the season. However, he responded with one of his strongest displays in recent memory during Manly's 52-18 win over the Dolphins, the club's first victory of the campaign.

The veteran forward produced more run metres in the first half than his average across the opening three losses, benefiting from a simplified and more direct approach introduced by Foran. The former New Zealand international took over from Anthony Seibold and has quickly lifted standards, with players pointing to his competitiveness as a key influence.

The result has helped restore confidence within the squad, and Trbojevic indicated the renewed energy around the club could sway his thinking about continuing beyond 2026. He has already agreed to terms on a one-year extension for next season, reportedly worth between $500,000 and $600,000, though a final decision on a 2027 campaign remains pending.

He said the positive feeling from the Dolphins win had reinforced his motivation to keep playing, describing the shared success as a driving force.

Manly's performance was also shaped by strong contributions from Trbojevic's brothers. Tom played a central role in the attack, scoring once and contributing to several of the Sea Eagles' nine tries, while Ben delivered one of his most composed performances, also crossing for a try.

Trbojevic praised both, noting his pride in Tom's leadership and Ben's continued development despite the challenges of following two established siblings into the NRL.

After starting the season 0-4, Manly now face the task of building consistency. Trbojevic said the focus is not on past comebacks, but on establishing confidence and habits under Foran's guidance to sustain improvement.