Tom Trbojevic’s ongoing injury concerns resurfaced during a pre-game interview with Andrew Johns for Nine, just before Manly’s match against the Eels. During warm-ups, Johns noticed Trbojevic had his knee wrapped, a rarity for the player, and commented on it. Trbojevic acknowledged a recent issue but assured he felt ready to play, hinting at the specifics of the incident with a promise to share more later.
Despite his discomfort, Trbojevic played a vital role in the early stages of the game, being involved in both of Manly’s first two tries. However, it became evident that he was struggling, as he was later seen limping and requiring additional strapping on his other knee. At one point, he was unable to sprint towards the ball after a kick from Dylan Brown, prompting Johns to suggest that he would need to leave the field due to his inability to run effectively.
As events unfolded, Trbojevic appeared to be struggling even further. Following a series of plays, he received support from Manly’s medical team but expressed confidence that he could last until half-time. Commentator Billy Slater noted that his presence on the field suggested the injury was not severe. However, at the half-time break, Trbojevic went straight to the tunnel and did not return. It was later confirmed that he had sustained a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury.
By the end of the match, Manly had secured a 26-12 victory, maintaining their lead even in Trbojevic’s absence after he had contributed to the team’s early scoring efforts.