Manly cop injury blow with Tom Trbojevic to miss start of season
Tom Trbojevic’s hamstring injury is worse than first anticipated, with the Sea Eagles gun to miss the start of the NRL season — and that’s not the end of the bad news for Manly.
Manly have been dealt a cruel blow just 17 days out from the NRL season with international fullback Tom Trbojevic facing six weeks on the sideline with a hamstring injury.
Trbojevic injured his hamstring in Saturday night’s trial match against Cronulla at Shark Park and the prognosis was worse than first anticipated, meaning he is unlikely to play until round four.
And in more bad news for Manly, The Daily Telegraph can reveal front-rowers Kelepi Tanginoa and Tanieli Paseka are both expected to be out for the next four weeks with knee injuries. The Sea Eagles open their season against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on March 16, followed by clashes against the Sydney Roosters, New Zealand and South Sydney.
Trbojevic’s loss is a huge blow to the Sea Eagles.
Manly coach Des Hasler is considering naming Brendan Elliot as the replacement fullback for the NSW and Kangaroos star.
Elliot joined Manly this year, having played for the Sydney Roosters, Gold Coast and Newcastle in the past five years.
It had been hoped Trbojevic would be back for round one. In a moment that rocked Manly fans, the 22-year-old Trbojevic was returning a kick in general play in the 35th minute when he pulled up lame.
He was immediately replaced.
The Sea Eagles will get a chance to test new combinations in this weekend’s trial match against reigning premiers the Sydney Roosters in Gosford, where hopefully they can cover Trbojevic until his expected return against the Rabbitohs at Brookvale Oval.
Manly medical staff said Trboejevic was professional and dedicated in treating his injuries, giving Sea Eagles fans some hope he may return earlier than round four.
Trbojevic, Tanginoa and Paseka each had scans on Sunday.
Losing two props will hurt Manly, who appear light-on this year upfront.
Trbojevic’s brother, Jake, left Shark Park in a moon boot but claimed the move was purely precautionary.
It was a difficult start for the returning Hasler, who had given his side a thorough and gruelling pre-season.
Hasler at least left Shark Park pleased at the return of second-rower Curtis Sironen, who had recovered from a long-term knee injury.
Manly centre Dylan Walker played 40 minutes of Saturday night’s trial match despite having to face court tomorrow on domestic violence charges.
If found guilty, Walker will face immediate deregistration from the NRL. In a boost for new coach John Morris, Cronulla played well to win the trial match 28-22 despite resting a series of their top line players.
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