Disheartening Developments: Worries Mount for Injured Tom Trbojevic as Manly’s Season Faces Turmoil

Andrew Johns has once again expressed his worries regarding Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic, admitting that he found it “sad to witness” the fullback’s recent performance.

Trbojevic made his return from yet another injury setback on Friday night, but it wasn’t sufficient to guide his team to victory against the struggling 17th-placed Titans.

The 28-year-old has grappled with fitness issues for several years and failed to show his usual dominance for the Sea Eagles against an underwhelming Gold Coast side.

While Trbojevic’s statistics indicate a strong performance, with him running for 255 metres and assisting in a linebreak, Johns insists he is not operating at full fitness.

“He still appears to be struggling,” the rugby league Immortal stated on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.

“He looks hesitant in contact … ordinarily he powers through. I wonder if he’s cautious about reinjuring that hamstring—it’s just upsetting to see.

“He’s a champion player, but his body keeps letting him down.”

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Since his outstanding 2021 campaign, where he clinched the Dally M Medal and excelled for the NSW Blues, Trbojevic has had few opportunities to replicate that level of performance.

Broncos legend Darren Lockyer suggests that a “confidence” issue may be hindering Trbojevic’s ability to return to form.

“He probably looks in his best shape overall,” Lockyer remarked.

“I feel it’s a confidence issue right now.

“I just don’t believe he has 100 per cent faith in his own capabilities.”

Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles find themselves in a precarious position this season.

The uncertainty around Daly Cherry-Evans and his contract situation has persisted throughout the year, while one of their standout performers – Haumole Olakau’atu – will be absent after dislocating his shoulder against the Titans.

“It’s disappointing for Manly,” Lockyer commented.

“With DCE not playing Origin, I expected him to put in a man-of-the-match performance [against Gold Coast].

“Their forwards didn’t provide a solid foundation for the backs, and following Manly’s early try, they fell asleep and lost their intensity.”

Manly are already missing props Taniela Paseka and Josh Aloiai due to injury, and losing Olakau’atu won’t aid their cause either.