Tom Trbojevic is a Legend

[Eagles4Life]

He wasn’t running freely. Last year, he seemed to have recaptured his speed and his performances for Australia indicated as much. However, I noticed when he went through against the Cowboys in rd.1 and put Bullemor over, his running gait looked restricted again. Tom’s career is one of the great shames in Manly’s history because I honestly believe he could have been an immortal, if not for the injuries. 2021 is how Tom could be on a regular basis, if fit.

I think he came back a week too early. I agree he wasn't running freely, and never strided out at any stage. However, I also believe that Manly's season was on the line, and he did what was needed to get us over that line. He will come back much fresher after the bye round.

 

[Eagle 1]

I still thought he looked a bit busted last night. Hope it was just him lacking match fitness. Thank god for the bye.

Said, he picked up a cork. The bye should have him sweet for the Sharkies game in 2 weeks.

 

[Disco]

Yep Tom is a champ the other Manly player I believe was going to be better than the great Beaver before injuries destroyed his career was Nik Kosef what a gun he was but he could have been so much more.

The game is so cruel sometimes that's why players should grab every dollar they can.

Kosef's ceiling was sky high.

Such a shame.

 

[Sea Eagle 4 Life]

Said, he picked up a cork.

The strange thing is his running style didnt seem to change over the whole game. No way he was 100% fit.

 

[JBW]

I never want to see him in another jersey. The main disappointment in his career that we never got to see him in 2021 form for a longer duration, the sort of form that would have potentially made him our greatest ever ( he still may be). His influence when on the park is unmatched in this comp. He'll never run like a "Turbo" again, but just having him there makes defensive lines second guess their target. Lehi, as good as he is, doesn't create those chances

 

[Brookie1973]

I never want to see him in another jersey. The main disappointment in his career that we never got to see him in 2021 form for a longer duration, the sort of form that would have potentially made him our greatest ever ( he still may be). His influence when on the park is unmatched in this comp. He'll never run like a "Turbo" again, but just having him there makes defensive lines second guess their target. Lehi, as good as he is, doesn't create those chances

In my unbiased opinion, that 2021 season was the greatest single season by a player in the time I have been watching the game. I won’t say how long that is, but all teams played in black and white jerseys back then.

 

[Damien2812]

Manly were like this with Snake at fullback. If Snake didn't play the game was usually 50/50.

 

[JenEagle]

Absolutely. I know it gets said a lot that he lifts the team but often without pinpointing how. If you look at Garrick’s try, the defence was worried about Tom out the back. Then they ran the same shape for Talau’s try and this time he got the ball and threw the catch and pass. Then when Koula scored, the inside defence was worried about Olakau’atu but the outside was watching Tom; through goes Koula. That’s three tries that Tom has a direct impact on. So even when the highlight reels are not showing his individual brilliance, he is having a big say in what happens.

He also sets the defence and keeps everyone organised. I think he reads the game better than any other player in the NRL. We just need him fit.

100 percent. He is so valuable to us and draws defenders to him. He creates opportunity everywhere

 

[JenEagle]

Manly were like this with Snake at fullback. If Snake didn't play the game was usually 50/50.

Yep agree
Was a mighty player for us .

 

[eaglebuzz]

Manly were like this with Snake at fullback. If Snake didn't play the game was usually 50/50.

Most clubs can't perform at their best if they lose their best player.

 

[Kalvin]

Most clubs can't perform at their best if they lose their best player.

Parra seem to have that same vibe with/ without moses

 

[Jimmie]

Manly were like this with Snake at fullback. If Snake didn't play the game was usually 50/50.

Or when Eadie didn’t play

 

[Fred]

On his day the best I've seen. I really hope he gets through the season and we get to see how great he can be.

 

[Nike]

I think a lot of emphasis has been put on fullbacks to be all around athletic freaks, literally built like props with the pace of a winger. This emerged around the time of Inglis, Folau, etc and seems to be one of the new meta's in building a team. The alternative is guys who are tough as guts and have the stamina to match. Those kind of guys are way more interchangeable though, for example Edwards is massive for Penrith but he's got nothing on Tommy's importance to Manly.

I think the downside to this kind of side is you're essentially relying on a freak of nature to have a miracle season. These guys tend to be injury prone simply due to their unusual builds and with the immense forces around mass, changes of direction and general speed at play it will inevitably wear their bodies down quicker.

Tommy is a gifted athlete and falls into this class of player. I think once the cap gets rebalanced (looking at him, Jake and Chez) and he modifies his playing style through trial and error (injury) he might just snag that elusive premiership with a bit of luck.

That's what I tell myself to cope anyway.