Blues star Tom Trbojevic will be sent for scans on Friday after suffering a hamstring injury in the Sea Eagles’ 30-24 loss to the Dolphins on Thursday night.
Trobjevic sustained the injury in the 69th minute after colliding with a cameraman while attempting a try-saving tackle on Dolphins winger Jack Bostock. The 27-year-old limped from the field and young gun Tolutau Koula replaced him at fullback for the final minutes of the game at Suncorp Stadium.
Loading
Manly and the Blues now have a nervous wait, with Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold saying the severity of Trbojevic’s injury is unknown. “Not sure [the early verdict], but it’s a hamstring injury from what I understand, I’m not sure how bad it is,” he said.
It’s Trbojevic’s fifth hamstring injury in his career, after suffering one in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023.
It was the second blow of the night for the Sea Eagles, who lost winger Jason Saab in the opening 20 minutes to a shoulder injury. “Again, he needs a scan, but they’re telling me it’s a grade three [AC joint injury] so I’m not sure exactly how many weeks that means, but we lost both those guys,” Seibold said. A grade three injury is a complete muscle tear.
Seibold said the injuries to Saab and Trbojevic would test the team’s depth and resilience with Lachlan Croker, Haumole Olakau’atu and Nathan Brown already ruled out through injury or suspension.
Oh no, not again: Tom Trbojevic leaves the field after suffering a hamstring injury.NRL Photos
The Sea Eagles had a strong start to the match, and held a 12-point lead over the Dolphins as half-time neared. But the Dolphins reeled Manly back in, with three tries in five minutes just before half-time to lead 20-16 at the break. Seibold said it was that poor defensive period that cost them the game.
“It was really disappointing that five minutes before half-time, I think that cost us the game ultimately,” he said. “I actually thought we fought really hard that second half. We lost Jason Saab early, and then we lost Turbo [Trbojevic] in the second-half, we lost our hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong to a HIA, so a little bit all over the place.
“Five minutes before half-time was way off. They scored three tries in three consecutive sets, so that was disappointing after we played decent footy for about 30 minutes there.”
Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans said the team needed to fix their defensive issues ahead of Magic Round next week.
“We’re in here talking about the same trend again [losing a lead], so it’s something we need to fix, and it’s something that all of us can help each other with,” Cherry-Evans said. “We’ve got to change a few things obviously to get the result that we’re after because at the moment we’re obviously not working hard enough on a couple of things out there. We can fix it, we’ve just got to work a bit harder at it.”
Great win for the Dolphins in a see-sawing battle. The big news is Tom Trbojevic’s hamstring injury and just how bad it is. And will he be right for the Blues in Origin I on June 5.
Jamayne Isaako slots a penalty goal to extend the Dolphins’ lead to 30-24. Manly try a short kick-off but the Dolphins end up with the ball. That could be it for Manly’s hopes.
9.32pm on May 9, 2024
Tom Trbojevic injury
By
Tom Trbojevic has limped off to the sheds with a reported hamstring injury. Given his record with hamstring injuries, that’s worrying news for NSW fans with State of Origin around the corner.
Oh no, not again: Tom Trbojevic leaves the field after suffering a reported hamstring injury.NRL Photos
9.28pm on May 9, 2024
Dolphins take the lead
By
A try in the corner for Jack Bostock. Ben Trbojevic came rushing out of the defensive line, it’s spotted by Isaiya Katoa who throws a bullet pass out to Herbie Farnworth and his ball puts Bostock in space on the wing. And Tom Trbojevic limps off the field after colliding with a cameraman diving to stop Bostock. Dolphins lead 28-24
Jack Bostock dives over in the corner to give the Dolphins the lead. Tom Trbojevic injured his hamstring trying to make a try-saving tackle.Getty
Advertisement
9.22pm on May 9, 2024
Kaufusi penalty gives Manly easy penalty goal
By
The last thing you want to do in a tight game like this is give away a needless penalty right in front of your own posts. But that’s exactly what Felise Kaufusi does. And Garrick slots the easy penalty goal. Sea Eagles lead 24-22
9.16pm on May 9, 2024
View from the couch with 20 minutes to go
By
9.11pm on May 9, 2024
Scores level
By
A Jamayne Isaako penalty goal from right in front of the posts levels the scores at 22-22 with less than 25 minutes to go.
Advertisement
9.06pm on May 9, 2024
Turbo-powered try
By
Some great interplay between Tom Trbojevic and brother Jake deep in Dolphins’ territory results in a try to the fullback. Garrick converts and Manly lead 22-20 with less than 30 minutes left.
Tom Trbojevic dives over for the first try after the break.Getty