Anthony Seibold lashes out after shock claims about Tom Trbojevic

Manly coach Anthony Seibold has shot down critics who say the club should part ways with Tom Trbojevic due to his run of injuries. Sea Eagles stalwart Peter Peters made the staggering suggestion last month that the club would be better off without the oft-injured fullback.

Asked if Manly should consider moving Trbojevic on due to the ongoing issues with both of his hamstrings, Peters said: "Yes, if it continues. I think it’s a business decision.

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"He may have to take an early retirement if it keeps going. He’s played (121) games and he made his debut back in 2015. It’s just not enough games.

"He’s a superstar but it’s like having a Lamborghini full of petrol in the garage, but you can’t drive it because, mechanically, it’s not sound. It’s a huge make-or-break for Turbo’s career in the NRL. He's 26, he’s got so many good years in front of him, if he’s fit."

Discussing the claims on Tuesday, Seibold laughed off suggestions the club would ever kick Trbojevic to the curb. The fullback recently returned from a stint in the US with reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles to work on his hamstring issues.

Seibold declared Trbojevic would be fit for round one and shot down Peters' 'uneducated' suggestion. "It came from a former player of our club and it was disappointing to hear that in the public domain," Seibold said.

"He is an important player to our club and where we want to get to. It's easy to make a comment like that, and I don't think it was an educated comment."

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The Sea Eagles have produced a 68 per cent win rate with Trbojevic on the field since 2019. But without their talismanic fullback they are understandably weaker.

Trbojevic said on Tuesday that his work with Knowles often went "above my head", but claimed he felt more comfortable that his body wouldn't break down in 2023. "I think it gives me a lot of confidence and it definitely helps you mentally as well," Trbojevic said of his time with Knowles.

"He's not necessarily worried about the hamstring, he's worried about making you a better athlete. Injuries come because there's a chink in the armour, (it's a focus) on athletic performance and getting everything working as a symphony."

Speaking earlier this week, Trbojevic's brother Jake said it was 'sad' to see Tom break down as much as he has in recent years. “It is just so disappointing because he is my brother and I want him to do well,” he told Fox Sports. “I want our club to do well and we need him, so it is disappointing.

“But he is doing really well. It is obviously sad because he works really hard and people doubt him. He works so hard. No one outside the club sees how hard he works. I’m really proud of what he does.

“He has gone over to America and worked really hard, so fingers crossed he deserves a break. He’s back on Monday and he said he has been loving it and it has been great for him. He has worked on lots of new approaches to training that will hopefully put him in the best mindset and his body in the best shape to go out and perform well.”

with AAP

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