'Really bad': Manly go public with new injury issue suffered by Tom Trbojevic

Yahoo

23-05-2025

Manly coach Anthony Seibold has revealed Tom Trbojevic has been hampered by a "really bad" cork to his quad in recent weeks, which explains why he hasn't looked 100 per cent fit. NSW coach Laurie Daley overlooked Trbojevic when he named his team for State of Origin 1 on Sunday night, and stated it was simply a case of the superstar fullback not being fit enough.
Many felt Trbojevic would find a spot in the Blues' backline somewhere, but Daley went with Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Stephen Crichton, Latrell Mitchell and Zac Lomax instead. Trbojevic hasn't played an Origin game since 2023, and even then he tore his pec and the Blues had to use Damien Cook in the centres.
Daley felt it was too big a risk to carry an underdone Trbojevic in his 17 for Origin 1, considering there was no guarantee he'd last the 80 minutes. The Manly fullback has looked well off the pace in recent weeks, and already missed games this year due to hamstring and knee injuries.
He missed Round 3 due to the hamstring issue, and then limped off in Round 4 with an MCL sprain. After sitting out three weeks he made his return in Round 8 against the Panthers, but hasn't looked anywhere near his best.
Speaking on Thursday, Sea Eagles coach Seibold rejected Daley's suggestion Trbojevic isn't fully-fit. However he did reveal he suffered a painful quad cork in the Round 8 game that has been affecting him.
"Obviously Turbo had the MCL injury earlier in the year, and then his first game back against Penrith a couple of weeks ago he had a really bad cork to his quad," Seibold said. "That hampered him over our bye week, and against the Sharks (in Round 10).
"I felt like he moved a lot better on the weekend against the Cowboys, particularly in defence, some of the stuff he did was outstanding. He's looking fantastic at training this week as well... we expect Turbo to be at his best on Friday."
Oh no, hope is not what I needed right now
— Jay (@Jay_Wehi) May 22, 2025
I hope we will see the day of tommy turbo performing like it is 2021 again
— Imonlyheretotweet⚜️🍁🪭 (@Imonlyheretotw1) May 22, 2025
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Seibold said Trbojevic is still good enough for Origin footy, but admitted it's a silver lining that he's available for Manly this weekend. "Everyone knows Turbo is one of the elite players in the game, and every time he's represented his state or his country he's been a fantastic performer," Seibold said.
"It's not for me to weigh into selection, but from our perspective it's great to have Turbo as our skipper on Friday night. I don't think the Origin door is ever shut for Turbo. He belongs in that arena, I think everyone knows that. If there's an opportunity that presents I know Turbo will take that with both hands."
Earlier this week, Manly teammate Reuben Garrick predicted Turbo would make a big statement against Parramatta after being snubbed for NSW selection. 'Tom's a very competitive person and I'm sure that it'll only bring fuel to the fire,' Garrick said.
'Tom would be in my (NSW) side but I'm not the one picking it. Fingers crossed he puts some good games together and he's back in that arena. It's Tom Trbojevic, at the end of the day. He's a gun.'