Jake Trbojevic knocked out, Tom struggles as Manly win 24-6 over Cowboys

Jake Trbojevic’s State of Origin dream is officially over, with the incumbent NSW Blues skipper going down with an ugly head knock, while brother Tom struggled in Manly’s win over the Cowboys.

The Sea Eagles held on for a gritty 24-6 victory over the Cowboys in Townsville, but NSW fans will be holding their breath after Haumole Olakau’atu was placed on report for an unusual scorpion kick that struck Murray Taulagi’s head.While Olakau’atu may not have much to answer for, the Blues took a massive blow to their State of Origin chances for the series opener when Jake Trbojevic was forced from the field following a serious head knock.

The Sea Eagles started with a bang and threatened to break the game wide open with their deadly attack down the flanks, however the Cowboys defended well and kept the visitors to just one try in the first half.

Tom Dearden wore the Cowboys’ No.7 jersey for the first time since round 25, 2021, and looked right at home as North Queensland’s game manager.

Despite losing 26 of his past 27 games as a starting halfback, Dearden played without fear as he masterminded raids down both edges of the field.

Jake Trbojevic’s Origin dream is over after an ugly head knock. Picture: NRL Imagery

The Cowboys five-eighth said the change in jerseys didn’t change the way he approached the game.

“I think my role was pretty simple, just getting the team around the park,” Dearden said.

“The combination with ‘Jacko’ (Purdue) will certainly grow. I thought he was strong tonight, and I think the more reps we get in at training and the more games we get together, the better the combination is going to be.”

HOLY HAUMOLE

While the two clubs were both desperate to secure the win, a number of individual battles were taking place with Origin approaching, including Olakau’atu and Jeremiah Nanai going toe-to-toe.

Manly’s man-mountain Olakau’atu was superb on the right edge, creating his team’s first try when he scooped up a Zac Laybutt error and ran 30 metres before finding the speed of Jason Saab in support, while Nanai was kept quiet in comparison.

Olakau’atu was placed on report after a strange scorpion kick connected with Taulagi’s head as the backrower was fighting for a quick play-the-ball, giving him an anxious wait for news from the judiciary.

Manly coach Anthony Seibold said he didn’t think his backrower would face any further punishment for the act.

“I thought it was quite an unlucky incident. I understood why the penalty came,” Seibold said.

“But look, he didn’t know that Murray (Taulagi) was there. Certainly an accident: he was trying to fight in the tackle, and got in a weird sort of position there. So there was certainly no malice to it at all and a penalty was sufficient.”

JAKE GETS SHAKEN

Jake Trbojevic was badly rattled after getting his head caught in an awkward position while attempting a tackle on Murray Taulagi, taking the full force of the Samoan winger’s shoulder.

Trbojevic, who started all three games for NSW in 2024, was eventually helped off the field by trainers and he will have to undergo the mandatory stand-down period after the category 1 HIA.

With only 11 days until the State of Origin series opener in Brisbane, Trbojevic will not have time to complete the NRL’s concussion protocols to play in game one.

MASTER AND APPRENTICE

The two skippers on Saturday night – both wearing the No.7 for their team – represent the past and the future of the Queensland Maroons.

Daly Cherry-Evans has made 25 appearances for the Maroons in a glittering representative career, but Dearden is in the type of form that simply can’t be ignored.

Dearden had another typically talismanic showing, having a hand in everything that went well for his team including throwing a perfect cut-out pass for North Queensland’s first try.

Cherry-Evans’ kicking game was exceptional, especially in attack where one of the veteran’s pinpoint punts set up Saab’s second try of the game.

The Manly captain gave a glowing assessment of Dearden after the match.

“Tommy in particular has played some amazing footy the last couple of weeks,” Cherry-Evans said.

“I’m sure Tommy Dearden is going to be a part of the Queensland side for a long time.”

MISFIRING TURBO

NSW hopeful Tom Trbojevic struggled to involve himself in the game, making five errors including a knock on to halt what looked like a certain try in the first set of the game after the Sea Eagles found space down the left edge.

Trbojevic bombed another two tries as the game went on, with the worst mistake coming with no defenders in front of him when Caleb Navale burst through the line.

The Sea Eagles fullback has now failed to score in four consecutive matches for the first time since a seven-game drought from round 19, 2019, to round 1, 2020.

Trbojevic made just six runs in the first half for 43m, failed to break a tackle over the course of 80 minutes, and was sent to the sin bin in the final seconds of the game for delaying play.

Tom Trbojevic struggled for Manly, bombing two tries. Picture: NRL Imagery

Seibold said losing the territorial battle with the Cowboys limited his superstar’s ability to influence the game.

“It’s hard for ‘Turbo’ to use his weapons when we’re camped on our try line like that,” he said.

“One of the things he did really well tonight, although he wasn’t happy with some aspects of his attack and his involvement, he was outstanding defensively.

“His line organisation and his movements at fullback were elite, and that’s the part I was really proud of.”

Originally published as Jake Trbojevic knocked out, Tom struggles as Manly win 24-6 over Cowboys