Shock call for Sea Eagles to cut Tom Trbojevic

When fit, Tom Trbojevic is nearly a match for any team in the NRL but the 2021 Dally M Medal winner has had a nightmare run.

Tom Trbojevic will hopefully get the answers he needs. Pics by Julian Andrews

The Manly Sea Eagles could be set to face a brutal decision on the future of Tom Trbojevic depending how his career saving treatment on his hamstring goes.

Trbojevic has been a magnet for injuries, including his troublesome hamstring injuries, the most recent of which happened during pre-season training in December.

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Trbojevic has injured both hamstrings over the years as well as missing the majority of last season with a knee and then a shoulder injury.

The 26-year-old has missed 69 matches of the 190 matches the Sea Eagles have played since the beginning of his NRL career in round 5 2015.

Currently, Trbojevic is beginning work with Philadelphia specialist Bill Knowles, who was credited with helping Latrell Mitchell's hamstring injuries and is currently working with Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen.

But in sport and injuries, there is no certainty it will stick. And as Trbojevic, his brother Jake and Daly Cherry-Evans — Trbojevic is on a reported $1.1m per season — take up a quarter of the Sea Eagles’ salary cap, calls are beginning to cut Tom loose.

Tom Trbojevic is in limbo. Photo: NRL Photos

Former Sea Eagles premiership winner and media manager Peter Peters told Big Sports Weekend Breakfast on Sunday that Trbojevic may need to go for the Sea Eagles to thrive.

“I think it’s a business decision. He may have to take an early retirement if it keeps going,” Peter said.

“He’s played (121) games and he made his debut back in 2015. It’s just not enough games.

“He’s a superstar but it’s like having a Lamborghini full of petrol in the garage, but you can’t drive it because, mechanically, it’s not sound.

“It’s a huge make-or-break for Turbo’s career in the NRL. He’s 26, he’s got so many good years in front of him, if he’s fit.”

Peters added that a change in position may be on the cards for Trbojevic — from fullback to the centres.

Having torn the NRL apart from the back, particularly in his Dally M Medal winning season, it would be a huge call to shift him to the edges.

“Certainly for game one in 2023 if he’s right, and all indications are that he will be, against the Bulldogs at 4 Pines Park. The towering bombs from Matt Burton are exactly what they don’t need to be under first-up,” Peters said.

“I would be playing Kaeo Weekes or Reuben Garrick in the fullback spot.

“Turbo doesn’t need the first-up test that Burton would bring.

“Weekes, in the final game of 2022, in pouring rain against the Bulldogs, fielded every high kick except one from Matt Burton.

“It was a great exhibition of fullback play. I’d play the kid and put Tommy in the centres.”

Hopefully this works. Pics by Julian Andrews

Speaking before he left Sydney, Trbojevic said he’d received some advice from NSW Origin teammate Mitchell.

“I have exchanged a few texts with (Latrell) and you obviously saw what he got out of it last year,” Trbojevic said before jumping on the plane.

“Watching that documentary crew, it sounds like he’s got some really interesting looks on things and I’m excited to learn them.

“You hope to get a lot out of it so you can come back confident in yourself and your body. You move your best and do everything you can to stay on the path and play good footy.”