NRL 2024: Tom Trbojevic and Nathan Cleary expected to be healthy for finals

Tom Trbojevic has addressed speculation surrounding the severity of his AC joint injury, giving Manly fans a positive update on his recovery timeline. That and more in this week’s Casualty Ward.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 30: Tom Trbojevic of the Sea Eagles is assisted by a trainer after an injury and a head cut during the round 26 NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Manly Sea Eagles at Accor Stadium on August 30, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Tom Trbojevic will be forced to carry a badly damaged shoulder for the rest of the season but the Sea Eagles superstars says “there is no doubt in his mind” that he will be back for week one of the finals .

Scans on Saturday revealed Trbojevic suffered a grade three AC joint injury. It is painful but manageable with the Manly superstar to miss their final regular season match of the season against the Sharks next Sunday but will play in week one of the finals.

“There is no doubt in my mind that I’ll be back for week one of the finals,” Trbojevic said.

“It’s sore but I’ve been through this before. I’ll needle it up and I’ll get through it. I won’t even notice it during the game. This isn’t an injury where I’m worried about missing time.”

The news might not be as good for flying winger Jason Saab with fears he may have played his last game of the season because of an ankle injury.

Toluta’u Koula will return to the starting side for Manly after starting their win against Canterbury off the bench.

While Manly are guaranteed a top spot, a win against Cronulla is vital as they will jump the loser of Canterbury and North Queensland’s clash. That would also secure the Sea Eagles a home final against either Canterbury or North Queensland.

Their task has been made harder without their two key backline stars.

Tom Trbojevic comes from the field on Friday night. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Hooker Lachie Croker said it would be a challenge to play without their fullback.

“He would be very sore Turbo,” Croker said on ABC Sport. “He didn’t look that stoked after the game.

“Losing him for next week it seems like that’s all it will be. Being able to needle it and how much he wants to play football and how tough he is I don’t think that would be too much of a concern.

“Losing those two games, a lot of speed. The way Turbo has been playing – we’re not stupid, we realise how much more likely we are to win. This weekend will be interesting to see how the team performs without him.”

The Bulldogs have their own concerns. The leadership boost that the return of captain Stephen Crichton will provide the Dogs has been offset by the likely suspension of fellow centre Bronson Xerri, an ankle injury to Josh Addo-Carr and concussion concerns for playmaker Matt Burton.

All three big guns are long odds to face the Cowboys with Addo-Carr’s ankle swelling badly on Saturday.

Bronson Xerri was charged for a hip drop tackle against Manly.

Xerri has been dealt a grade two dangerous contact charge for a hip drop tackle that has left Manly winger Jason Saab with a suspected syndesmosis injury.

Xerri will be suspended for one match and miss the Bulldogs final clash with the Cowboys with an early guilty plea.

He will miss two matches if he fights the charge and is unsuccessful at the judiciary.

Jaeman Salmon, Jeral Skelton and Jacob Kiraz are all options to cover the loss of Xerri.

Burton failed his category two HIA assessment in the second-half and didn’t return during the loss to Manly.

The five-eighth has the ability to apply for an exemption to face the Cowboys, providing he completes additional assessments this week, however at this stage, the Bulldogs are preparing to be without their five-eighth.

Drew Hutchison will replace Burton in the halves.

Addo-Carr is also a major concern for the Dogs after he finished the match with a swollen ankle.

Blake Wilson is the frontrunner to replace Addo-Carr if he is deemed unfit to play against the Cowboys.

CLEARY’S FINALS GUARANTEE

Nathan Cleary has declared he will be fit to begin Penrith’s premiership defence in the first week of the finals, as Melbourne sweat on Ryan Papenhuyzen’s immediate future.

Cleary hasn’t played since suffering a shoulder injury in the Panthers’ 24-22 Round 24 loss to the Storm, which sparked fears he could miss the club’s charge to a fourth straight NRL title.

However, speaking before Penrith’s clash with South Sydney on Friday night, the star halfback was adamant he would be back to full fitness in a fortnight.

“It’s about a 7 at the moment,” Cleary said on Channel 9 after rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns asked him to rate his shoulder out of 10.

Nathan Cleary watching the Panthers-Rabbitohs game on Friday night. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“It’ll be a 10 in a few weeks.”

While on the sideline, Cleary has watched as both Melbourne and the Sydney Roosters have geared up for the finals, identifying the biggest threat to their premiership defence.

“I think the Storm. Their spine is elite,” said Cleary, who had special praise for Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster.

“When he’s running the ball, they’re very dangerous.

“He gives that x-factor not many teams have.”

STORM SWEAT ON PAPS

Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has been diagnosed with bone bruising but is pushing to play in the Storm’s NRL regular-season finale against Brisbane next week.

Papenhuyzen left the field early in Thursday night’s 38-30 loss to North Queensland in Townsville, prompting fears he could be in doubt for the Storm in the finals series.

However, scans on Friday revealed the classy Melbourne No. 1 had suffered bone bruising and could be fit to play against the Broncos.

It is understood Papenhuyzen wants to play but the club will be guided by how the injury settles down over the next few days.

Scans have confirmed Ryan Papenhuyzen suffered bone bruising in Melbourne’s loss to the Cowboys. Picture: Getty Images

“The scans showed Ryan has some bone bruising. Our medical staff will see how the issue settles over the next few days before making a decision on whether he plays against the Broncos next Thursday night,” Storm director of football, Frank Ponissi said on Friday evening.

The Storm have no need to take any risks with Papenhuyzen given they have already wrapped up the minor premiership, and they have the impressive Su’A Fa'alogo in reserve.

Papenhuyzen was forced off the field after just 14 minutes, before leaving Qld Country Bank Stadium in a knee brace. Picture: Getty Images

Fa'alogo shifted to fullback when Papenhuyzen left the field against the Cowboys and proved a constant threat.

Fa’alogo finished with 13 runs for 170 metres, including seven tackle busts and three linebreaks.

While Papenhuyzen remains in doubt for the Broncos game, forward Tepai Moeraoa will be free to play if selected despite being charged with a careless high tackle for a hit on Tom Dearden at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Moeroa is facing a fine with an early guilty plea.