NRL Early Mail Round 15: Tom Trbojevic cleared, Bulldogs seek Reed Mahoney exemption
The Manly Sea Eagles have received a huge boost following the news that star fullback Tom Trbojevic will play on Friday night despite failing his HIA in Origin I.
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Manly star Tom Trbojevic has been cleared by the NRL to play Friday night’s game against the Dolphins at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale.
The club disputed the severity of Trbojevic’s concussion sustained in State of Origin I at Adelaide.
An independent NRL doctor diagnosed Trbojevic with a category one head knock, ensuring the player had to stand down from playing for 11 days under the NRL protocols.
It meant Trbojevic wouldn’t have played again before Origin II on June 21 – placing his spot in the team under heavy scrutiny.
Trbojevic can now fight to retain his Blues place against the Dolphins.
A Sea Eagles statement read: “The Sea Eagles have undertaken a lengthy process, both internally and externally, into Tom’s health after he was taken from the field late in last Wednesday night’s State of Origin match in Adelaide.”
Manly CEO Tony Mestrov said his club’s main priority was Trbojevic’s welfare.
“Our chief club medical Officer, Dr Paul Bloomfield, agreed that Tom had to be removed from the field but at no point was he diagnosed with concussion,” Mestrov said.
“Furthermore, Tom does not have a history of concussion issues.
“Throughout this process, Tom has not been diagnosed with concussion from either NSW doctor Nathan Gibbs, doctor Bloomfield, or independent doctor doctor Chris Levi.
“Tom will line up for the Sea Eagles on Friday night.”
Melbourne-based neurophysiologist, Doctor Alan Pearce, questioned the process used to clear Trbojevic.
“So Manly doctor, NSW Origin doctor & the NRL consultant doctor overrule the independent match doctor who showed Cat 1 symptoms on the night. 3 vs 1?” Pearce tweeted.
BULLDOGS PLAN TO PLAY REED MAHONEY
The Bulldogs are set to name Reed Mahoney in a shock bid for the star hooker to play against his former club Parramatta.
Mahoney was forced from the field against the Roosters after copping a head knock from the knee of Joseph Suaalii on Sunday.
He failed to return to the match after being diagnosed with a Category 1 head knock.
The Bulldogs are attempting to medically prove Mahoney doesn’t need to be stood down for the mandatory 11-days, which would rule him out of a public holiday Monday clash with the Eels.
Reed will be named. He meets the criteria for a 7-day stand down. We have an 8-day turnaround. He is booked into an independent neurologist this Friday for examination and approval. He has passed all the protocols to this point. Zero symptoms. No history of concussions or failed… https://t.co/kqC2Sax11g
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) June 5, 2023
Canterbury GM of football Phil Gould has confirmed Mahoney will meet with a specialist on Friday for clearance to play.
“Reed will be named (on Tuesday),’’ Gould wrote on Twitter.
“He meets the criteria for a 7-day stand down.
“We have an 8-day turnaround (from the Roosters match to playing Parramatta). He is booked into an independent neurologist this Friday for examination and approval.
“He has passed all the protocols to this point. Zero symptoms.
“No history of concussions or failed HIA’s. It’s up to the medical team now.’’
Kyle Flanagan was in line to win a recall to the NRL as a replacement for Mahoney with the former halfback impressing coach Cameron Ciraldo with his work at hooker in the NSW Cup.
“Kyle is playing 80 minutes regularly week to week in the NSW Cup,” Ciraldo said. “He has been working hard on playing hooker and he has really bought into transforming not that position, more than likely he will get an opportunity there.
“We spoke to him last week and told him what our thoughts were the next few weeks about trying to give him an opportunity there because he has been working hard.”
Flanagan has played five games at hooker for the Bulldogs’ NSW Cup side since his switch from the halves. As well as averaging more than 40 tackles per game, he has contributed six try assists. In his most recent outing at the weekend, Flanagan made 38 tackles and had a try assist in the Bulldogs’ NSW Cup win over the Sydney Roosters.
LATRELL MITCHELL IN DOUBT FOR RABBITOHS
NSW are facing a series-defining decision on Latrell Mitchell as the South Sydney superstar races the clock to play before the Blues side is selected for the State of Origin showdown in Brisbane.
Mitchell hasn’t played since suffering a calf injury while in camp with the Blues in the lead up to Origin I and it is understood he is no certainty to turn out for the Rabbitohs against St George Illawarra on Saturday night.
The Rabbitohs have the bye the following week, which means there is every chance Mitchell will have gone more than a month without a game when Origin II kicks off.
The Blues are still likely to take a punt on Mitchell even if he hasn’t played, but it shapes as an all-or-nothing play heading to Suncorp Stadium, where NSW have lost eight of their past 10 games.
Souths captain Cameron Murray also remains in doubt for Saturday night’s game after picking up a groin injury at the weekend, meaning he could head into Origin II under a cloud.
HORROR INJURY NEWS HAS MAROONS REELING
– Paul Crawley
Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins have suffered another huge setback with Queensland Origin forward Tom Gilbert set to undergo surgery that is likely to rule him out for the rest of the NRL season.
It comes in the wake of Gilbert dislocating his shoulder during the first half of Queensland’s game one State of Origin victory over NSW.
It is understood scans have determined the injury was worse than first feared.
Gilbert showed tremendous courage trying to play on after suffering the injury and he even attempted a tackle before being replaced.
Gilbert has been one of the Dolphins’ best this season after joining the NRL newcomers from the North Queensland Cowboys.
The news comes on the back of the Dolphins copping a double blow from the NRL’s match review committee, with Anthony Milford and Jarrod Wallace set to miss the next three games through suspension for dangerous tackles coming from the weekend’s loss to the Warriors.
The Dolphins will also be without enforcer Felise Kaufusi for Friday’s game against the Sea Eagles with Kaufusi still having one game to serve on his ban for a dangerous tackle in the loss to Melbourne.
FULL EARLY MAIL BY TIM WILLIAMS
TITANS v TIGERS
Thursday, 7:50pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans: Chris Randall is facing a one or two week suspension for a dangerous contact charge, with Kruise Lemming likely coming in to start at hooker.
Kieran Foran is a chance to return from a toe injury, if cleared it would see Jayden Campbell move to fullback and Keano Kini drop out of the team.
David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will start after playing off the bench post Origin.
AJ Brimson is nearing a return from a hamstring injury but likely remains a week or two away.
Tigers: Api Koroisau will come into the starting team after playing off the bench post Origin in the only likely change for the Tigers.
RAIDERS v WARRIORS
Friday, 6pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Raiders: Jarrod Croker will come back into the side at centre for his 300th NRL game.
Seb Kris is likely to return from a knee injury at fullback, which would see Jordan Rapana shift to the wing and Harley Smith-Shields drop out.
Elliott Whitehead is available for selection after serving a two match suspension, but he likely remains a week away due to injury.
Warriors: Rocco Berry will be unavailable due to concussion, Edward Kosi may be a direct replacement in the backline if cleared to return from a knee injury.
Te Maire Martin is an outside chance to return in the halves, but is more likely to be back in Round 17.
Dylan Walker is likely to return from a toe injury on the bench.
SEA EAGLES v DOLPHINS
Friday, 8pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Sea Eagles: After being concussed in Origin, Tom Trbojevic was initially ruled out of Manly’s clash with the Dolphins.
The club are contested the grading of the head knock to have him passed fit to play and Kaeo Weekes is the man who will make way.
Josh Aloiai is expected to return from injury in the middle.
Daly Cherry-Evans returns in the halves, pushing Cooper Johns out of the team.
Dolphins: Big changes at the Dolphins, with Tom Gilbert out for the season due to a dislocated shoulder.
Anthony Milford and Jarrod Wallace are both facing three to four game suspensions.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow returns from a post Origin rest at fullback, pushing Kodi Nikorima into the halves in place of Anthony Milford.
Brenko Lee is unlikely to play due to a calf injury, with Valynce Te Whare to come into the side at centre.
Jeremy Marshall-King is likely to return from a shoulder injury at hooker, pushing Ray Stone to lock and Max Plath out of the team.
DRAGONS v RABBITOHS
Saturday, 3pm, Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Dragons: Jack de Belin is likely to be unavailable due to a nasty head knock, which will be somewhat offset by the return of Jack Bird.
It’s unknown whether Bird is a direct replacement at lock, or if coach Ryan Carr keeps him on an edge.
Rabbitohs: Jai Arrow (ankle) and Cam Murray (groin) are both likely out for at least a few weeks.
Davvy Moale is a chance to return from a knee injury on the bench.
Latrell Mitchell is unlikely to return from a calf niggle at fullback which would see
Blake Taaffe earn another start.
BRONCOS v KNIGHTS
Saturday, 5:30pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Broncos: Selwyn Cobbo is a chance to return from a hip injury in place of Jesse Arthars in Brisbane’s only expected change.
Knights: Tyson Frizell will return on the edge, likely pushing Jack Johns out of the team.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon is in doubt with a calf injury, which would see Johns retain his edge role if out.
ROOSTERS v PANTHERS
Saturday, 7:35pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Roosters: Daniel Tupou is due back from injury and will replace either Corey Allan or Junior Pauga on the wing.
Sitili Tupouniua will await news from the judiciary after being placed on report for a high shot.
Panthers: Nathan Cleary suffered a hamstring injury that has him in doubt for Origin two.
Jack Cogger is likely to come into the halves to partner Jarome Luai, with Stephen Crichton to kick goals.
STORM v SHARKS
Sunday, 4:05pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Storm: Justin Olam will need to pass concussion protocols to face the Sharks.
If unavailable, Marion Seve will likely come into the team at centre.
Sharks: Cameron McInnes is a chance to return from a hand injury in the only likely change for Cronulla.
BULLDOGS v EELS
Monday, 4pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs: Jacob Kiraz is a chance to return on the wing in place of Blake Wilson after hyperextending his elbow at training last week.
Raymond Faitala-Mariner is likely to return on the bench from an illness.
Reed Mahoney failed a HIA in the loss to the Roosters and must pass concussion protocols to take his place in the side. Kyle Flanagan is in line to replace him after playing five games at hooker in NSW Cup.
Eels:Dylan Brown may be unavailable due to an off-field incident, if ruled out this would likely see Daejarn Asi start in the halves.
Andrew Davey must pass concussion protocols to take his place on the edge, which if cleared would see Matt Doorey drop out.
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Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 15: Tom Trbojevic cleared, Bulldogs seek Reed Mahoney exemption
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