Tom Trbojevic injury: Manly Sea Eagles superstar out with fractured cheekbone

The promising season of the Manly Sea Eagles has copped a blow with superstar Tom Trbojevic ruled out.

Tom Trbojevic is out long-term. (Photo by Glenn Hunt/Getty Images)

In a potentially debilitating blow for Manly, superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic has fractured his cheekbone and may not return until the NRL finals.

The injury will all but end Trbojevic’s charge toward the Dally M Medal and could also impact Manly’s top four aspirations.

Trbojevic — arguably the form player in the NRL — sustained the injury during the second half of Manly’s 56-10 win over Parramatta on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday night.

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Manly has a history of struggling without Trbojevic.

Since 2019, Manly has won just 11 of 35 games without Trbojevic for winning percentage of 31.4 per cent. With Trbojevic in the side the Sea Eagles have won 24 of 32 matches for a 75 per cent winning record.

Tom Trbojevic is out long-term. (Photo by Glenn Hunt/Getty Images)

News Corp has been told Trbojevic will miss at least two games although the club refused to discuss the injury on Sunday.

He will be unavailable for matches against Canberra and Canterbury.

Provided the injury heals as planned, Trbojevic could return for the final regular season game against North Queensland.

Manly’s medical staff may also consider resting Trbojevic for the round 25 Cowboys game to ensure he is 100 per cent fit for the finals.

The injury has the potential to halt Manly’s amazing momentum built over the back-end of this season.

It is understood the fracture is minor and the injury won’t require an extended period on the sidelines.

Needed to pop back up for this one; Tom Trbojevic is expected to miss at least the next 2 weeks after suffering a fractured cheekbone (via @BulldogRitchie). Appears to be a minor fracture with Manly initially expecting just bone bruising, most result in a 3-5 week return to play

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 15, 2021

Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler was giving away little about Trbojevic’s injury, while a club statement read: “Fullback Tom Trbojevic suffered a knock to the cheekbone.

“Fortunately, the hit was on a plate that he has from a previous fracture which prevented a serious injury from occurring.

“Tom has some swelling and bruising around the site. He will be given every chance to prove his fitness for next Friday night’s match against the Canberra Raiders.”

Hasler will name his side for the Canberra game on Tuesday afternoon with Reuben Garrick and Dylan Walker to be considered as replacements fullbacks.

Trbojevic’s injury comes as Sea Eagles centre Brad Parker was officially ruled out of the Raiders game.

Parker was heavily concussed after being collected high by Parramatta’s Ryan Matterson on Saturday night.

Tom Trbojevic has a fractured cheekbone. (Photo by Glenn Hunt/Getty Images)

“Centre Brad Parker suffered a head knock and will now follow the normal concussion protocols with the Manly medical team to determine a return-to-play date,” said Manly’s statement.

Moses Suli, who scored two late tries when used as Parker’s replacement, is expected to be called into the Sea Eagles starting side.

Melbourne halfback Jahome Hughes was heavily concussed by a high tackle by Canterbury’s Corey Harawira-Naera and will miss Melbourne’s Thursday night game against Gold Coast.

Utility star Nicho Hynes is expected to be named in the halves with Ryan Papenhuyzen to start at fullback.

“At this stage, Jahome will miss only one game but we obviously need to continue monitoring him,” said Storm football manager, Frank Ponissi.

Originally published as Tom Trbojevic injury: Manly Sea Eagles superstar out with fractured cheekbone