Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic has admitted the speculation around his fitness and whether or not he would be picked in Brad Fittler’s Blues squad for game one had been frustrating.
Trbojevic missed the 2022 State of Origin series due to injury, and has battled several niggles through the first half of the 2023 NRL season.
But a hat-trick in Manly’s win over the Raiders in Canberra on Sunday afternoon meant he was all but a surety to be named in the Blues squad on Monday morning.
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Speaking to media in Blues camp, Trbojevic said he never had any doubt about his fitness.
“I didn’t really doubt myself, but it wears you down a little bit, all the external commentary,” he said.
“You can’t really escape it these days so that’s something I just had to come to accept.
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“I wouldn’t say it was hurting me, but when you [hear] commentary on how your body is feeling, people telling you … ‘he’s not right’ et cetera, when you know you feel good within yourself, it can be a little bit frustrating.”
Injuries aside, Trbojevic said he was aware his form hadn’t been where it needs to be at times this season, but said his Raiders performance had given him a confidence boost heading into camp.
Trbojevic sneaks in
“I understand I wasn’t playing well enough … I’m not going to sugar coat it and say everyone should praise me when I’m not playing well,” Trbojevic said.
“I knew I felt really good within myself. In footy, you’re judged on the way you play and if you’re not playing well, you want to play well.
“It was good in that instance to be able to play [my] game and get a win.”
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Fittler said Trbojevic’s position in the squad had been marked with “a very dark” lead pencil, and that his return to form “was only a matter of time”.
“It’s about time he had a go,” Fittler joked. “Always consider Tommy if he’s available.”
“Talking about gambles, you’ve just got to gamble that he’s going to be ready, and very rarely has he ever let us down.”
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