NRL 2024: Tom Trbojevic injured as Dolphins win 30-24 over Manly Sea Eagles

In a potentially massive blow to the NSW Blues and Manly’s finals hopes, Tom Trbojevic has suffered yet another hamstring injury, as the Sea Eagles surrendered a lead to the Dolphins.

Tom Trbojevic has reportedly suffered another hamstring injury in Manly's Round 10 clash against the Dolphins. Picture: NRL Imagery

Blues superstar Tom Trbojevic is in doubt for the State of Origin series after the Manly fullback sustained a hamstring injury during a freak collision with a cameraman on Thursday night.

On a dreadful night for Manly, Trbojevic limped from Suncorp Stadium in the 68th minute before the Sea Eagles slumped to a 30-24 loss to the Dolphins.

Tom Trbojevic has reportedly suffered another hamstring injury in Manly's Round 10 clash against the Dolphins. Picture: NRL Imagery

Trbojevic collided with a cameraman in a failed attempt of a try-saving tackle on Dolphins winger Jack Bostock.

The Sea Eagles No. 1 clutched at his leg immediately and limped up the sideline in a worrying sign for Blues coach Michael Maguire less than a month before the June 5 Origin series-opener in Sydney.

The moment that saw Trbojevic limp off the field. Picture: Getty Images

Trbojevic was a certain selection for NSW but is now in serious doubt given his history of hamstring injuries.

“I’m not too sure how bad it is, it’s a hamstring injury,” said Manly coach Anthony Seibold.

Tom Trbojevic off with a reported hamstring injury - didn’t look good with significant effect on his gait/function.

Significant history here obviously a concern - is his 6th hamstring injury in the past 6 seasons. Unlikely to be a week or two recovery.

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 9, 2024

Two of the worst sights in rugby league in the past five days. Ryan Papenhuyzen and Tom Trbojevic limping from the field.

Two guys who just deserve so much better than the luck they’ve had. #NRLDolphinsManly

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) May 9, 2024

BENNETT DANCING AGAIN

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett continued his run of wins against arch nemesis Anthony Seibold with another gritty victory.

Bennett has now won six of eight games against Seibold, who replaced him at the Broncos in 2019 following the bitter Brisbane civil war.

The win was the Dolphins’ sixth of the year and keeps the Redcliffe club inside the NRL’s top eight nearing the halfway point of the season.

“We didn’t play well, we were pretty ugly looking, but we got the two points,” Bennett said.

“We started the season with a couple of wins, but last year we lost our way a little bit and couldn’t get back-to-back wins.

“We’ve done that tonight.”

HE’S FULLER MAGIC

He is only warming the Dolphins No. 1 jersey that belongs to Maroons star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow but Redcliffe veteran Trai Fuller has made it tough for Bennett to axe him.

Fuller produced one of the great individual tries, evoking memories of Billy Slater’s famous solo effort for Queensland in the 2004 Origin series.

With seemingly little happening in the 36th minute, Fuller burst through Manly’s line before chipping over Dally M superstar Trbojevic.

He regathered the bouncing ball in driving rain before diving over the line to make it 16-all, shortly before Mark Nicholls gave the Dolphins an unlikely halftime lead.

Tabuai-Fidow will be back for next week’s Magic Round clash with the Tigers, but Bennett may need to find a spot for Fuller in his 17 given his efforts over the past month.

Dolphins star Trai Fuller produced one of the solo tries of the season so far, scoring off a chip and chase. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s a very special player,” Bennett said.

“The size of him and the way he plays … I saw that in the state league. He got a lucky break and an opportunity to play which has built his confidence.

“He’s got a great future in front of him.

“Hammer will be the fullback next week and we’ll see what we do with Trai.”

SEA EAGLES STUTTER

Manly was cruising in the 34th minute after opening up a 16-4 lead with tries to Tommy Talau, Corey Waddell and Tolu Koula.

But they seemingly went to sleep, allowing the Dolphins to score three tries in five minutes to take a crucial 20-16 lead into the break.

The Sea Eagles have plenty of strike but consistency is a major problem, not only week-to-week but throughout 80 minutes.

Compounding back-to-back losses and Trbojevic’s woes, the Sea Eagles lost flying winger Jason Saab to a potentially serious shoulder injury and could drop out of the top eight by the end of the weekend.

“The five minutes before halftime was really disappointing, that cost us the game,” Seibold said.

“That was disappointing after we played decent footy.

“We fought really hard and we’re playing some really good footy. We put ourselves in a position to win the game.

“We’ll get there but there’s a couple of things around our resilience. When something goes against us, we need to find a way to hold the momentum against us.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Tom Trbojevic injured as Dolphins win 30-24 over Manly Sea Eagles