On a Monday morning where media types flocked to Redfern Oval to cover Latrell Mitchell re-upping with Rabbitohs, across town another story had emerged – Tom Trbojevic had injured his hamstring on the eve of the new season.
Not the same one but, for Manly fans, it’s of little consolation that their superstar fullback would again be missing time.
The Sea Eagles' start to the 2021 has so far offered a stark reminder of just how much their side relies on Trbojevic to function. Des Hasler's men remain winless.
When will Trbojevic be back? What does his training look like? How exactly did the injury go down? We've got all the updates below.
WHEN WILL TOM TRBOJEVIC BE BACK?
Manly fans can expect to be without Trbojevic until mid-April.
According to NRL Physio, the superstar No. 1 has begun "high-end" sprinting at training as he continues to ramp up his rehab, with a two to three-week return possible.
The Sea Eagles are still expected to be extra cautious with his return, however, so it won't come as a surprise to see them give Trbojevic a couple of extra weeks.
HOW THE INJURY HAPPENED
“It’s a pretty embarrassing one to actually say but I woke up yesterday morning and slipped over in the bathroom,” Trbojevic said after the injury was announced. “I just felt it go.”
“It didn’t feel great; I’ve felt the feeling before, so I knew pretty quickly and was straight on the phone to the physio.”
After informing coach Des Hasler and having the injury confirmed by a scan, the NSW and Test fullback knew the full extent of the injury: grade two tear with a round four return tentatively pencilled in.
What makes it all the more painful for Trbojevic is that his much-maligned hamstrings were in good nick less than a week ago.
He said when fronting media, excited to bounce back from consecutive injury-marred seasons.
“It’s going really good,” he said. “Obviously, I’ve had a long off-season to work on them [hamstrings] but it’s going good. We’re a month away from footy and I can’t wait to get into it.
“The last few years have been disappointing but I’m really optimistic going into the 2021 season.”
While the injury clearly devastated Trbojevic, he has been in this position before.
“It’s a bit rattling and it’s not something I want to be dealing with but considering my history over the past couple of years – it doesn’t make it any easier – but I know what I need to do to get right.”
WHY TRBOJEVIC APOLOGISED TO FANS
You won’t find many more popular players amongst media, fans and the general public than either of the Trbojevic brothers currently in the first grade team, yet Tom still felt it was appropriate to apologise to them during his media appearance to confirm the injury on Monday morning.
“I apologise to the organisation and all the members that I won’t be playing footy out there early this year,” he said.
“This club has shown a lot of faith in me and I haven’t been able to stay on the field long enough to repay that. That’s something that I’ll have to live with.
But why apologise?
“At training or at a game you can take it, but [getting injured] at home…so, that reason and I haven’t been able to play too much footy over the past couple of years.
“The members and fans have shown a lot of trust in me and I haven’t been playing enough footy.
“That’s why I feel bad for them.”
IS THIS INJURY AS BAD AS THE OTHERS?
The good news is, no. The NRL Physio called it before the injury cause was revealed, saying an injury away from the controlled environment of the pre-season bodes well for his recovery.
“It’s a good thing,” Trbojevic said. “My understanding with the other hamstring is that it’s harder to keep repairing it so a fresh injury often can be better. I’ll take the positive out of that; though it is hard to find one.”
DID TRBOJEVIC INJURE HIMSELF IN A RUNNING RACE ON THE MANLY CORSO?
Manly emphatically deny that vision of Trbojevic racing what appears to The Flash operating under the alias, Harry, up the Manly Corso is the cause of the injury.
No vision has emerged of Trbojevic sustaining any injury.
EXCLUSIVE: Vision of Tom Trbojevic sprinting in The Corso in Manly on Saturday night has emerged. Pictures on Nine tonight. The club insists this is not when he injured himself. I’ve talked to Tom and he insists he was injured slipping in the bathroom. @9NewsSyd @NRLonNine
— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) February 22, 2021
