Greg Alexander's shock reveal about Tom Trbojevic amid State of Origin debate

NSW assistant coach Greg Alexander has revealed Tom Trbojevic won't be an automatic selection come State of Origin time unless he can prove he's fully fit. Trbojevic suffered a groin injury in Manly's win over the Wests Tigers on Sunday, but scans have revealed it isn't serious and he's a chance to line up against the Titans this weekend.

Trbojevic won the Dally M medal in 2021 and was player of the series in NSW's State of Origin triumph. But shoulder and hamstring injuries have plagued him ever since, and he missed the entire Origin series last year.

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It was thought that Trbojevic would be an automatic selection at either wing or centre in Brad Fittler's Blues side this year. But the game-breaking fullback has sparked fresh concerns over his fitness, with doubts arising about whether NSW can afford to carry Trbojevic if he isn't 100 per cent.

Speaking on SEN radio on Monday, NSW advisor Alexander said Trbojevic needs to do more to prove his fitness in order to be picked for Origin. “Certainly plenty to think about,” Alexander said.

“It doesn’t just happen. Although you just think Tom was an automatic selection, until he finds a bit of form and confidence, there is plenty to think about.”

Trbojevic also received a needle for a hip-pointer injury he picked up earlier this year, and has been working on a new running style this season. Commentating on Channel 9 on Sunday, Phil Gould said: "He's among the best I've ever seen but he's not 100 per cent. I doubt he did his groin today. I've sensed a number of times he wasn't 100 per cent."

Discussing Trbojevic's groin injury later on Monday, Manly coach Anthony Seibold revealed he has "very, very minor adductor (tear)." Seibold added: “We will name him and do a fitness test on Friday. It’s the best news possible. He presented really well today.

“It’s really good news but we won’t be silly with him. If he has any concerns, we will hold him back.”

Manly confident they can win without Tom Trbojevic

Even if Seibold opts to take a cautious approach with Trbojevic, the Sea Eagles believe their season won't be defined by their star fullback's fitness. Manly have won just 18 of 53 games without Trbojevic since the start of 2019, compared to 34 of 51 with him.

"We dealt with a lot of adversity, and that is part of the Manly mentality we have been talking about," prop Josh Aloiai said. "One of the things we said when we were down and they scored that late try, we said 'boys let's bring it out of the fire here'.

"Perhaps in the past we wouldn't have got there in the end and found a way to win ugly. An ugly win is better than an ugly loss."

Captain Daly Cherry-Evans earlier said of Trbojevic: "This is the first time it has happened this year. And the way we finished the game there, we defended so well. It showed that we cared and we wanted to finish off for each other.

"Regardless of who is out there, we are trying to build that mentality into our game, and I felt like we did that tonight. Yeah, we are going to miss him if he doesn't play. Because he is an important part of our team.

"But I think tonight showed that we're going to try and turn a page when it comes to Tom potentially playing or not playing, we're just going to move forward. I am definitely worried about him when he goes off the field.

"But Tom is so competitive and so tough, it will take a fair bit to keep him out. The initial reports are it's not too bad. I am sure they will do the best thing for the team. But Tom is a tough fella, and if he can play through it he will play through it."

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