By Billie Eder
Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has declared Tom Trbojevic will return from injury against Canterbury in week one of the finals after the team suffered a crushing 40-20 defeat to Cronulla on Sunday.
Manly badly missed the strike power and organisation of their star fullback, who was sidelined for Sunday’s game after picking up a grade three AC shoulder injury against the Bulldogs two weeks ago.
Seibold has assured Sea Eagles fans Trbojevic will start, but flyer Jason Saab is unlikely to return as he deals with a high ankle sprain suffered in the team’s win over the Bulldogs in round 26.
“Tom will play. I said it from last week, it’s grade three,” Seibold said. “We’ve had Saaby and Tolu [Tolutau Koula] play with that same injury, same turnaround time, so it won’t be an issue there. Saaby I don’t think will play, but Turbo will come back.”
Seibold said Saab wasn’t certain to return this year, even if the Sea Eagles progress past the Bulldogs next week.
“I’m still a little bit unsure, I’ve got to say,” Seibold said. “It’s a high ankle sprain so we’re still trying to see how it pulls up without getting any surgical intervention, so I’m a little bit less sure on Saaby.”
Tolutau Koula, Haumole Olakau’atu and Clayton Faulalo of Manly react after Ronaldo Mulitalo scores.Credit: Getty Images
Sunday’s loss was Manly’s biggest defeat of the year.
“Got to give Sharks credit. That’s why they’re a top-four side,” Seibold said. “They really suffocated us with their defence, and obviously, they were very good with their end of sets.
“That was obviously our biggest loss of the year, I think by 20 points. Prior to that, I think most games have been reasonably close that we’ve played in. They just outplayed us today ... We’re obviously disappointed because we had the opportunity to play for a home semi, but you need to look at the bigger picture.
“The guys have done a really good job to make it through to the playoffs, there’s going to be nine other teams waking up tomorrow morning who would like to be in our position.”
Sunday’s victory was the perfect warm-up for Cronulla, who now face the formidable task of trying to beat the Storm in Melbourne. The Sharks and the Dragons are the only teams to have beaten Melbourne on their home turf this year.
However, coach Craig Fitzgibbon said they wouldn’t dwell on that result when they play Melbourne in six days’ time.
“It was a long time ago now [when they last played the Storm]. Obviously, as far as preparation goes leading into the semis they [Melbourne] have had a pretty ideal one,” Fitzgibbon said.
“They looked strong the other night. They have a few players back, so have we. Every occasion is a little bit different. We’ll be massive underdogs, short turnaround [against a team with a] long turnaround. They’re Melbourne, we’re the Sharks. But we’ve earned the right to get this game. All we can do now the season is closed is get ready for the next one.”
Fitzgibbon said Cronulla had earned their top-four spot and the opportunity to be premiership contenders.
“We try and stay humble. Those clubs have been there. Your Penrith, Melbourne and the Roosters, they know what it’s about. They’ve been there, they’ve been up there,” he said.
“Us other clubs are cracking away to try and get close. I feel like we’ve done a good job to get closer this year. How close, we’ll find out in the next month.”
Finals week 1 fixtures
Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters
BlueBet Stadium, Friday 7.50pm
Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks
AAMI Park, Saturday 4.05pm
North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Saturday 7.50pm
Canterbury Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles
Accor Stadium, Sunday 4.05pm
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