NRL 2024: Tom Trbojevic pushes through immense pain to get Manly deeper into the finals

Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic’s shoulder injury means agonising pain when he drives, sleeps, or even reaches for his cereal in the morning. He reveals what it takes to get him through each game.

Unable to sleep, enduring searing pain simply turning the steering wheel of his car, and immersing his body into -162 degree temperatures.

Influential Sea Eagles star Tom Trbojevic has revealed the excruciating commitment he has made to push through agony and overcome the Roosters in a must-win semi final on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium.

The champion fullback has captivated the rugby league audience with his extraordinary mental and physical resolve to play with an agonising grade three AC-joint injury and MCL knee injury.

Tom Trbojevic is overcoming huge physical pain to finish off the season for Manly. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Requiring multiple painkilling injections to end the Bulldogs season last Sunday afternoon, Trbojevic says he’s ready to put his body on the line again against the Roosters.

“It’s feeling better this week,’’ Trbojevic said.

“It’s just a pain (tolerance) thing. The first game is going to be sore and then it gets better.”

LIVING IN PAIN

Trbojevic at CRYO Northern Beaches. Picture: Suplied

Trbojevic at CRYO Northern Beaches. Picture: Suplied

Outside of footy, Trbojevic gave an insight into how his shoulder injury has impacted the rest of his life. Something as simple as writing his name, opening the fridge or reaching for the cereal tests his threshold for pain.

“Obviously shoulder injuries, when you initially get them they are quite sore. So it makes it difficult to sleep,’’ Trbojevic said.

“Driving is also different, trying to turn a wheel. It gets sore after games but that’s no different to any shoulder injury.

“Initially you are in a sling so you can’t do too much. But it is just sore.’’

NRL Physio Brien Seeney said he was in awe of Trbojevic’s modesty and bravery.

“Along with rib injuries, I’d say AC joint injuries are the two most painful injuries in footy,’’ Seeney said.

“It hurts with every move that you make in that shoulder.

“It doesn’t pose a lot of long-term issues, but in the short-term it does cause a lot of pain.

“You’re literally playing with an unstable shoulder joint.’’

Trbojevic had to have his shoulder needled against the Bulldogs. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

NFL TREATMENT

Trbojevic has been undertaking cryotherapy and a red light therapy – used by NFL heavyweights San Francisco 49ers – to help with his recovery.

He was there as recently as Thursday and uses the treatment up to three times a week.

Health practitioner and co-owner of CRYO Northern Beaches in Freshwater Dimple Naik said Trbojevic had been a regular in recent months.

“Tom has been using cryotherapy to aid in his recovery and enhance his physical and mental performance,” Naik said.

“Cryotherapy exposes the body or parts of the body to subzero temperatures reaching -140°C. “The fully immersive whole Body cryotherapy chamber at CRYO Northern Beaches is the only TGA approved chamber that reaches temperatures of -140°C and the treatment time is only three minutes.

Trbojevic has been using cryotherapy to help recover.

The temperature in the chamber goes down to -162C.

“When you step in the chamber, the body goes through a ‘fight or flight’ response activating the nervous system, and all the blood rushes to the core to protect the heart and vital organs.

“When you step out of the chamber, fresh blood circulates the system to instantly reduce pain, muscle soreness and inflammation.

“In addition, as the head and neck are also exposed to those temperatures, it ignites the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system to reduce stress, anxiety and provide mental clarity and focus.

“Tom has also been incorporating red light therapy and localised cryotherapy, for his shoulder treatment when he visits the centre.

“For the shoulder injury specifically, we have been administering localised cryotherapy, where focused application of -162°C cryogenically cooled air is treated to the affected areas, penetrating in deeper layers of muscle tissue and joints.’’

A TOUGH CHARACTER

Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn has been around the club long enough to witness true courage and player bravery during a serious injury.

He has seen up close and personal how tough Trbojevic is, having spent time with him in America when the champion fullback visited training guru Bill Knowles to help with his hamstring problems.

He was also in the stands on Sunday at Accor Stadium as Trbojevic, having struggled through the pain barrier, popped up with eight minutes remaining to provide the inspiration for Tolu Koula’s matchwinning try.

“He is an absolutely tough character. He keeps a lot of it to himself, he doesn’t really talk about it,’’ Penn said.

“He has definitely been through some dark times and tough times.

“We have always known the character and leader he is both on and off the field. He is a special human, he loves the club and he loves playing – he is a fierce competitor.

“You could see on Sunday he was hurting. It is super painful playing through it.

“He has not only shown his mental toughness, but it is inspiring to the playing group.’’

TWO MORE WEEKS

Of course, the end-goal for Trbojevic and the Sea Eagles is to win the premiership on that first Sunday in October.

The question is, will Trbojevic be able to continue to push through his shoulder pain and knee complaint for a further two weeks?

“Yes, he will get there,’’ Seeney said.

“It’s about luck as well. It’s about avoiding obvious hits to that shoulder.

“He’ll be trying to find that balance between protecting it, and also getting the most out of it, so Manly can win.’’

Jake Trbojevic is also in no doubt about his brother’s fortitude to keep going.

They don’t live under the same roof any more, but Jake has spent enough time with Tom to understand that when he puts his mind to something, he generally gets it done.

“The thing about Tom is he works so hard so you just want the best for him,’’ Jake said.

“He is so professional, works extremely hard. He does everything right.

“Whenever he goes down – touch wood it never happens again – you know he will come out the other side because he is very resilient.’’

Originally published as NRL 2024: Tom Trbojevic pushes through immense pain to get Manly deeper into the finals