Manly have declared Tom Trbojevic will be fit and firing for the NRL finals, despite scans showing their superstar fullback has suffered a grade-three AC joint tear.
The Sea Eagles made a call on Saturday morning that injury-plagued Trbojevic’s right shoulder does not require immediate surgery.
The 27-year-old will sit out Manly’s last-round game against Cronulla before targeting a return in week one of finals. It is anticipated Trbojevic will receive pain-killing injections in order to play.
NRL players have managed similar injuries without an extended period out, with Kalyn Ponga notably returning for week one of the 2023 finals after suffering a similar AC tear in round 26.
“As a teammate, it’s definitely hard to watch (him get hurt),” Daly Cherry-Evans said.
“But just knowing the determination and desire he will have to get back soon, I know it’s going to be alright for him.
“We know what Tom will be like, he is just going to get back into his work and be back as soon as possible for us.”
Manly have also brushed off any suggestions the injury could dent Trbojevic’s form and confidence, given the pain can be managed.
Trbojevic’s scan results came as Manly breathed a further sigh of relief on Saturday morning, with Luke Brooks not charged for a dangerous throw on Canterbury’s Jacob Preston.
Had Brooks copped a grade-two charge, his dream of ending a 12-season wait to play finals would have been in tatters with a three-match ban looming.
But still, bigger concerns remain.
Winger Jason Saab suffered a syndesmosis injury after a Bronson Xerri hip-drop tackle, and was set for scans on Saturday afternoon.
Manly are anticipating he will miss “a couple of weeks”.
Trbojevic was then hurt when he attempted to tackle a run-away Preston with 16 minutes left in the match, before Brooks collided with him.
“You obviously think the worst,” Brooks said.
“I felt bad. I looked up at the screen (inside the ground) and thought, ‘shit, is that me?’. Hopefully he’s alright.”
Trbojevic has been playing his best football since his Dally M year of 2021, scoring 10 tries and setting up 11 in his past seven games.
Manly have options at the back.
Lehi Hopoate was the preferred man to deputise there earlier this year and has starred wherever he has played this year.
Tolu Koula is another option, having impressed at fullback against North Queensland in round 18 before suffering his own knee injury.
“Whoever gets picked will step up,” Brooks said.
“I reckon Lehi’s a good chance (for rookie of the year). He’s scored that many tries and he’s a great finisher.
“He reminds me a lot of his brother, Will. I remember when he first came in, he was playing on the wing for Manly and he was doing the same sort of things.
“He’s only slight, but he must be hard to tackle because he always tends to make a lot of metres. I think he’s a good shot at rookie of the year.”
Meanwhile Brooks admitted he briefly feared for his own immediate future and chance to at last play finals football following his dangerous throw on Preston.
“(The heart was racing) a little bit, but I don’t think it was that bad,” Brooks said.
“I ended up lifting but I pulled out and I feel like he ducked his head as well.”
