‘Heard a pop’: Serious injury concern for Manly star Tom Trbojevic

Manly star Tom Trbojevic has been struck down once again with concerning scenes unfolding for the fullback on Sunday afternoon.

All eyes were on Daly Cherry-Evans on Sunday afternoon, but attention quickly turned to teammate Tom Trbojevic.

The Manly fullback strolled out ahead of the game sporting fresh tape on his right knee, and a fresh injury to Trbojevic was the main concern for Manly as the Sea Eagles claimed a 26-12 win over a fairly uninspired Parramatta side.

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Less than 20 minutes into the first half and Trbojevic found himself in the hands of a trainer requiring attention on his left knee.

Greg Alexander said in commentary that Trbojevic “doesn’t look good”. Moments later he took a hit-up and looked hesitant to take any sort of contact.

“That can’t continue. I can almost feel the disappointment in him,” Alexander added.

Despite the struggles from their fullback, Manly went into the sheds holding the 12-0 advantage thanks to tries to Jason Saab and Lehi Hopoate but the major concern was Trbojevic, who looked slightly mummified with heavy strapping over both his knees.

Tom Trbojevic doesn't look good.

Trbojevic was seen racing up the tunnel shortly after the halftime siren sounded with alarm bells ringing for the club.

“He looked average in the warmup, to be fair and then it definitely got worse as the first 40 minutes went on,” Anasta said on Fox League’s halftime show.

Cooper Cronk added: “Zero impact in the game. I know he set up that try for Saab early but every time he goes down he doesn’t look like he’s in full flight.

“Raced up into the dressing rooms and I think we’ll get a halftime report on him.”

Fox League’s Jake Duke reported Manly believed Trbojevic had suffered a MCL injury in his knee.

“He said he heard a pop in that first half,” Duke said.

“He will not return for this game but they’re very confident it’s not ACL or anything related to that. It’s his left knee, which is the opposite knee to the hamstring injury he came in with.

“Not good news for Tom Trbojevic, they’re thinking MCL.”

Corey Waddell and Tolutau Koula scored second half tries for Manly, while four-pointers to Joe Ofahengaue and Shaun Lane were only a consolation for the Eels.

Turbo races off the ground at halftime. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Earlier the reception for Cherry-Evans was expected to be frosty towards the skipper in the wake of his announcement, but what unfolded nobody saw coming.

As Cherry-Evans led the side out, a chorus of cheers and love was showered on the team and their skipper.

Fans in the stands held up signs showing their appreciation for the man who joined the Sea Eagles back in 2011.

“There is no booing. It is all cheering,” Braith Anasta said on Fox League.

AAP’s Scott Bailey wrote on X: “Daly Cherry-Evans got the loudest cheer of anyone at Brookvale when they read the team out. One or two boos, but felt like a very deliberate cheer for DCE.”

It was clear even Cherry-Evans didn’t expect the reception he was receiving as he soaked it all up with cameras capturing him cracking a smile as he looked out towards the crowd.

The Manly skipper leading the side out.

The reception shocked DCE.

Fans showered him with love.

With any potential Cherry-Evans issue on the backburner, the Sea Eagles set about their business in front of their home fans.

Jason Saab got the scoring underway inside the opening ten minutes when he crossed in the corner before they doubled their advantage with Lehi Hopoate.

Hopoate found himself on the end of a brilliant passage of play with Tom Trbojevic putting him over in the corner.

The Sea Eagles went into halftime holding a 12-0 lead over the currently winless Parramatta Eels.

Originally published as ‘Heard a pop’: Serious injury concern for Manly star Tom Trbojevic