Big things expected from Manly star Tom Trbojevic in his first game back from injury
The Sea Eagles have lost three on the trot to drop out of the top eight, but the return of Tom Trbojevic has them primed to go on a run before the State of Origin period.
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Lehi Hopoate did an admirable job filling in at fullback while Tom Trbojevic was out injured but Manly’s main man will return this weekend and has been tipped to have a “cracking game” in a must-win clash against Penrith.
Manly’s struggles without Trbojevic are clear, with the team winning just 35 per cent of their matches since 2020 when he’s been out.
They did beat Canberra earlier this season when he was missing, but they’ve lost three on the trot while he’s been sidelined with a knee injury.
His left knee was heavily strapped at Wednesday’s training session at the NSWRL centre of excellence, but he moved freely and marshalled the defensive line with authority from the back.
It’s a massive boost for the Sea Eagles ahead of Saturday’s showdown with the Panthers, while Blues fans will also be keen to see him back on the field a few weeks before the squad for game one is announced.
“It gives everyone a sense of comfort to have a quality fullback, and it allows everyone to do their job,” Hopoate said, with Manly’s attack a lot more threatening all across the park when Trbojevic is fit.
“I’m sure Turbo will do a great job at the back as well.
“He’s been keeping positive vibes at training and in the gym, and he’s definitely been resilient.
“I don’t think Origin is on his radar at the moment. I reckon his full focus is on Manly, especially with us having three losses in a row.
“I reckon Turbo’s going to have a cracking game.”
Trbojevic’s return sees Hopoate shift to left wing, with the youngster fresh from his best game of the season where he ran for 220 metres, broke six tackles and set up a try in the narrow loss to the Dragons.
He’s in no rush to make the permanent move to fullback, with Hopoate taking inspiration from what the Roosters did more than a decade ago when Roger Tuivasa-Sheck played on the wing and learnt off Anthony Minichiello.
“I look up to him and am inspired to be like Turbo one day,” he said.
“He gave me big ups after my performance. I look at his actions and try to be consistent each week like him.
“It helps my performance having a quality fullback like Turbo. It gives me a sense of comfort to go out and play my game. He definitely sets the tone for the team.
“To have Turbo step up in the front line and do what he does gives everyone hyper energy, and we all nail down on our roles even more seeing Turbo lead from the front.”
While Trbojevic is back, Manly’s forward stocks are severely depleted with Toff Sipley suspended, Jake Trbojevic in concussion protocols and Taniela Paseka sidelined with an Achilles injury.
Veteran prop Siosiua Taukeiaho is embracing his role as the leader this week, with the two-time premiership winner needing to produce his best against Penrith’s mobile pack.
“It’s something that I’ve always enjoyed doing, even when I was at the Roosters,” he said.
“I just go out and play my game and lead from the front. Being here at Manly, we’ve got a lot of guys out, but I feel like it’s an opportunity for me to continue to lead from the front.”
Originally published as Big things expected from Manly star Tom Trbojevic in his first game back from injury
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