Phil Gould has called on the NRL to dip into its marketing budget to ensure the Trbojevic brothers stay on the Northern Beaches for the rest of their careers.
Gould's plea is in response to news both Tom and Jake Trbojevic had ruled out accepting Thirty Party Arrangements as part of their next deal.
Speaking on Channel 9's 100% Footy on Monday night, Gould argued the game had a duty to assist clubs by providing compensation to help lock up home-grown talent.
“The NRL needs to step in. The NRL needs to keep them on the northern beaches,” Gould said.
“It’s up to the NRL so Manly don’t have to worry about third party (arrangements).
“The NRL has a marketing arm and they are two of the highest-profile players in the game.
“They are going to be in Origin and they’re going to be in Test teams for the rest of their lives.
“You don’t want the marquee players who have come through the system, are local juniors and are the fabric of the club (going).
“We can’t have players constantly changing clubs, particularly these marquee players. That’s what turns fans off more than anything.”
Eighth Immortal Andrew Johns resided in the Manly region while the Trbojevic's were rising through the local junior ranks, and knows the impact the brothers have on the area more than most.
“Their tentacles on the northern beaches go everywhere." he added.
“They have to stay their whole life there, the NRL needs to step in."
Jake and Tom aren’t off contract until the end of next year but rival clubs can officially approach them from November 1.
The pair, who will command around $1million per year each, are keen to stay at Manly and want to get a deal done before that deadline.
