Tom Trbojevic is the first to admit he’s taken the long road to 150 NRL games.
“It’s certainly been a rollercoaster getting there,” the Manly ace said ahead of his milestone against the Bulldogs on Friday evening. “It’s not as important as 100 or 200 NRL games, but it’s still nice. I still remember my 100th against the Warriors in 2021 before the [COVID] bubble.
“You don’t think about milestones or anything like that when you’re going through those low points in your career, but I’ll be excited for this occasion.”
Trbojevic is in his 10th season in the NRL and developed tremendous mental strength to cope with the countless injury setbacks he has had in recent years.
He won the Dally M Medal after playing just 18 NRL games in 2021, but was limited to just 11 and seven games in the following two seasons.
Since returning from his latest hamstring injury at the start of last month, Trbojevic has been nothing short of phenomenal. He scored three tries and was close to man of the match in a losing Manly side on Thursday night against Wests Tigers. He somehow wrestled Tigers halfback Aidan Sezer under the posts to deny him a try, and posed a constant threat out wide, especially in the second half.
Tom Trbojevic on his way to the try line on Thursday night against the Tigers.Credit: NRL Photos
Trbojevic, 27, is disappointed he has only played four finals games in a decade in the NRL. It is in complete contrast to some of his peers at the Panthers, Roosters and Storm, who have been finals constants in that time. He wants Manly to become September regulars, like the Sea Eagles sides of old.
“We haven’t achieved much success the past 10 years, and we want to get back to being that club that is consistently there,” Trbojevic said.
“Thursday night was a good lesson for us. We need to be at our best every week if we want to win. When we play our best footy, we know we can compete with any side. We need to learn to be consistent.
“I played one finals game in 2017, did my pec the week before the finals in 2019, and made the prelim in 2021. I’m happy with my own game at the moment.
“I’m not comparing myself to how I was playing in 2021, I’m just trying to be in the now. I’m going out and enjoying my footy, and with fullback being such an important position, I’m trying to influence the game as much as possible.”
Apart from the lean record in finals games, Trbojevic also wants to end his international drought, with his last Test for Australia way back in 2018.
One decent selection debate in the next month will be whether coach Mal Meninga sticks with incumbent and captain James Tedesco or gives Trbojevic a shot in the No.1 jersey.
“We’ll get to the end of the year and work it out, but I would love another opportunity to play for Australia,” Trbojevic said.
Manly coach Anthony Seibold said after Thursday’s 34-26 loss to the Tigers that Trbojevic was one of the few positives and had collected four successive players’ player awards.
The Sea Eagles face the Bulldogs on Friday and then host Cronulla at a packed 4 Pines Park in the final round.
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