Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic concedes breaking up with Blues would be hard
Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic opens up on a potential State of Origin sacrifice, what Luke Brooks should expect at his new club and where to now for Josh Schuster.
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Tom Trbojevic says he isn’t willing to “throw away” a cherished NSW jersey by standing down from State of Origin next year.
Offering a candid and wide-ranging interview, the Manly superstar pulled down the shutters on a disappointing 2023 season by reflecting on the club’s failed finals bid and the personal anguish of managing just 11-games due to injury for his beloved Sea Eagles.
The 2021 Dally M Player of the Year also detailed his likelihood of playing for Australia in October, the impending arrival to Manly of Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks, the enigmatic form of Josh Schuster and Brad Fittler‘s hopes of being retained as head coach of the NSW Blues.
ORIGIN STAND DOWN
Trbojevic suffered a torn pec just two minutes into game two of this year’s State of Origin series.
The injury shattered his season, ruled out for Manly from round 15 onwards.
Undoubtedly, the Sea Eagles premiership claims were also immediately erased with the loss of their best player.
Trbojevic’s 11-games this season, follows a tough few years that have been hampered by injury and a stuttering total of seven games in 2022, 18-games (2021), seven games (2020) and 12-games (2019).
Given the blistering form of Knights star Kalyn Ponga this season, who rejected a call from Queensland coach Billy Slater to play in Origin III in a bid to focus on Newcastle, the discussion was recently raised as to whether the Fox Sports ambassador should also stand down from selection for the Blues next year.
The man fondly called “Turbo” conceded he could understand the debate.
However, he hinted that he was unlikely to sway from putting his hand up to represent his state.
“Playing Origin is an awesome experience,” Trbojevic said.
“It’s not something that I want to give up on and throw away.
“It would be a hard decision to make.
“I understand it (injuries in Origin) does have an effect on club level. Even if you don‘t get injured, it still has an effect on how many games you play for your club.
“I love playing Origin. I couldn’t sit here and say that I’m considering it, because it would feel I’m doing the jersey an injustice.
“I understand both sides of the argument.
“It‘s not something I need to talk about right now, but I’m certainly not willing to throw it away just yet.’’
Asked if Fittler – who has signalled his intent to the NSWRL Board to continue as coach – deserved another shot, Trbojevic replied: “I’d love him to have another crack. He was a great coach and he really fits that arena.
“We haven‘t got the results the last two years, but I do know that he’ll be very determined to turn that result around next year.
“He’d be awesome to continue keeping the job.’’
LEGACY DEAL
Manly’s decision to fork out $800,000 per-season for enigmatic ballplayer Josh Schuster is an increasing concern for Sea Eagles fans.
Particularly with the 22-year-old finishing the year dropped to reserve grade.
Trbojevic said he hoped that Schuster would use the off-season to work “how he wanted to be remembered” as a footballer.
“Everyone goes through times in their career when they’re not playing their best footy and things aren’t going right,’’ Trbojevic said.
“So he just needs to go away and think about what type footy player he wants to be and what type of footy player he wants to be remembered by and then start making the best decisions to make that happen.
“I really think he’ll do that.
“I‘m sure he’ll come up with what’s important to him and he’ll work hard to achieve that.
“All the chats I’ve had with him have been about how hard he wants to work to get back to where he needs to be to play consistent footy for us.
“It‘s never been a question about his talent.
“But to be a consistent first grade player, you’ve got to be consistent in everything you do when it comes to your work-ethic.’’
BROOKS TO BROOKIE
The first picture of 10-year Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks in Manly colours will take some getting used to.
But what won‘t feel odd, according to Trbojevic, is how the playmaker will thrive alongside Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
“It’s a great signing for us,’’ Trbojevic said.
“It’s good for him and good for us. I’m really excited to get to work with him and try to get the best out of each other.
“I can’t wait to start with him in November.
“He’s copped a lot of criticism over the last 10 years and coming to our side with a lot of experience alongside him in Daly, it will take a lot of pressure off him.
“He can just do what works best for him. He‘ll really balanced out our footy side.’’
IF NOT US, THEM
Trbojevic said Manly‘s first season under head coach Anthony Seibold while disappointing to miss the finals, showed promise of better days ahead.
“It‘s a season that is similar to my own personal disappointment with the injury,’’ Trbojevic said.
“Over the last few weeks we’ve started to find our brand of footy we want to play and unfortunately it’s all a bit too late, which has cost us in the end.
“We didn’t win enough games early to give ourselves a chance.
“We‘re all sitting here in a position that we don’t want to be sitting in next year. We’ll reflect on that and move forward.’’
Asked who he believed would win the 2023 title, the champion fullback said: “I would’ve said Penrith, but without (Jarome) Luai it makes it hard.
“If he gets that shoulder right, then I‘ll stick with Penrith.’’
TESTING TIMES
Prior to Manly’s 2023 season coming to an end on Friday night, Trbojevic was in full flight at training, with no sign of slowing down from the hamstring injuries that put him on a plane to the US last January to work with reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles.
However, his pectoral muscle still isn’t at 100 per cent. His ongoing rehabilitation and no footy since June has left Trbojevic certain that he won’t be considered for Australia’s Test team to compete for the Pacific Championships in October.
“I don’t think that’s (Test selection) a real possibility,’’ Trbojevic said.
“Respectfully, I don‘t think I would make it, having not played for three and a half months.
“Playing for Australia, there‘s some quality players to pick from, so I think I’ll be resting up and be ready to go again, come November.
“The last six weeks I’ve put together a good training block and I’m starting to feel fit again.
“It‘s probably been the best I’ve been moving all year, running wise.
“I’ve still got a big focus on that area of proving myself as an athlete.
“Those types (hamstring) of non-contact injuries that I’ve had previously, I want to keep working to try and avoid them.
“Obviously the pec injury was a bit harder to avoid, because it was from contact, but the non-contact ones, that’s what I’m aiming to avoid.’’
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