Manly Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has confirmed that star fullback Tom Trbojevic is fit and dismissed suggestions that any injuries affected his omission from the NSW Blues squad for the upcoming State of Origin series. At a press conference at the club’s Narrabeen facilities, Seibold expressed surprise at Trbojevic’s exclusion from the team announced by coach Laurie Daley, particularly given the player’s impressive track record when fit.
Trbojevic was surpassed for a position by Dylan Edwards and others, despite returning to play after overcoming injuries. State coach Daley noted that doubts about Trbojevic’s fitness were a contributing factor in the selection process. “If he’s fit, he’s one of the best players in the game,” Daley commented, urging Trbojevic to focus on regaining his confidence on the field.
Despite missing out on Origin selection, Trbojevic will captain Manly against Parramatta this Friday. Seibold reassured that there are no ongoing health issues hindering Trbojevic, although he had previously dealt with an MCL injury and a significant cork in his thigh. The coach expressed satisfaction with Trbojevic’s recent performances, especially during the match against the Cowboys, where Seibold noted improvements in his movement and defensive play.
Seibold diplomatically addressed questions regarding Trbojevic’s snubbing from the Blues, emphasising that he considers him one of the elite players in rugby league, and remains optimistic about his future contributions to the NSW team: “The door isn’t shut for Turbo; he deserves to be in that arena.”
After the loss of captain Daly Cherry-Evans to the Maroons, Seibold took the opportunity to bolster team morale by highlighting Trbojevic’s experience and leadership capabilities ahead of their match. Meanwhile, backrower Haumole Olakau’atu also missed out on selection in the starting side but remains in the extended squad for NSW.
Further, Jake Trbojevic, Tom’s older brother, is currently recovering from a knockout sustained earlier in the season. Seibold acknowledged the tough situation for Jake and reached out to support him during this time. Despite their struggles, the Sea Eagles currently hold a mid-table position in the NRL, with five wins from ten matches.
In conclusion, Seibold and the Sea Eagles are looking ahead to their upcoming fixture while remaining hopeful for Trbojevic’s potential return to representative football in the near future.