Tom Trbojevic inspires young footy fan - and the Sea Eagles staff

Seven-year-old James Wilson was heartbroken when he was told he couldn’t meet an injured Tom Trbojevic after Manly’s victory over South Sydney. So imagine his face when his hero hobbled out of the dressing room with a special gift.

James Wilson wrote an essay about his most inspirational person. Image: Brett Costello

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James Wilson was asked to do a project on his greatest inspiration and chose Tom Trbojevic, and the Manly fullback has gone above and beyond to prove the young lad chose well.

Despite being gutted by a hamstring injury which will sideline him for up to nine weeks, Trbojevic spent 20 minutes with the 7-year-old from Frenchs Forest after Saturday’s golden-point win over South Sydney.

The pair had organised to meet after the match but Manly officials told the youngster it wouldn’t be possible once the NSW Origin star hurt his hamstring.

So you can imagine how stunned James was when Trbojevic twice hobbled out of the dressing rooms to talk with him — the second time holding his footy boots as a gift for his young fan.

Tom Trbojevic's injury didn't stop him keeping a special appointment.

“He will be my favourite player forever,” James said.

The Daily Telegraph brought James, who plays in the under-7s with the Forestville Ferrets, and Trbojevic back together at Forest rugby union club on Tuesday.

While wary not to do any more damage to his hamstring, Trbojevic kicked a footy around with James for 10 minutes.

“He is a good role model,’’ said James, who on Wednesday gave a speech about his “inspiration” as part of an essay he is doing in year two at Lady of Good Counsel, Forestville.

“He is a good football player and has a big heart. He is kind and generous.”

James Wilson wrote an essay about his most inspirational person. Image: Brett Costello

James and his father, Stu, plan to frame Trbojevic’s boots.

“James did a project on who inspires him the most,” Stu said. “He just loves Tommy, absolutely loves him.

“Tommy came out twice to see James, the second time with the boots. It was all a bit surreal.

“Tommy came out the second time and I could see him mouth the words, ‘where is he?’

“He found James and asked whether he would like his boots. I have always loved Tommy but it’s gone to the next level now. He is a class act.”

James has definitely done his research on Turbo. Image: Brett Costello

In a social media post, Manly’s strength and conditioning head coach Don Singe spoke glowingly about Trbojevic after Saturday’s match, which Manly won 13-12.

“Then there is the other tough I saw last night, the one that all real champions possess,” Singe wrote.

Mates forever. Picture: Brett Costello

“There is a player who has had to leave the field early, he sits and smiles with the team and takes their elation of a tough win and their sorrow with the uncertainty of the severity of their brother-in-arms’ injury.

“It is a disappointing and uncertain feeling to bear for him. Out in the change room is a young boy who wanted to see Turbo because he is presenting a school project on ‘someone who has made a positive influence to my life’.

“I have explained to him and his dad that Turbo is sitting quietly and right now might not be the time but we will make it happen for him but perhaps it will not be today.

“The wee man and his dad smile and say they absolutely understand and then suddenly there is Turbo, smiling and engaging with his boots signed in his hands and 20 minutes of attention for them. All because in his self-reflecting moment he heard someone needed him.

“That’s tough. Tom and Jake (Trbojevic) have it as personality and it is something Des (Hasler) instils in our men.

“No matter where you are and how you feel, put it to one side and do the right thing — the thing that needs to be done.

“That’s why this guy Tom is a champion.”

Originally published as Tom Trbojevic inspires young footy fan - and the Sea Eagles staff