Tom Trbojevic update sparks backlash as 'confusing' detail called out

Manly coach Anthony Seibold has given a rather unusual update on Tom Trbojevic's injury after he claimed the fullback's back spasms were prompted due to needles for a separate issue. Trbojevic battled pain in his lower back in Manly's brutal dismantling at the hands of Penrith, prompting fears over potential tightness of his problematic hamstrings.

Fans have been left concerned over Trbojevic's injury and whether it could become more serious after five previous injuries to a troubled hamstring. The Sea Eagles had initially suggested Trbojevic had required pain-killing injections at half-time to assist with the issue, before the attacking ace was able to continue without discomfort in the second half.

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However, Seibold has attempted to clarify the situation amid doubts hovering over the premier fullback, claiming the back spasms had come as a result of a needle used to numb Trbojevic's left hip, after he copped a hit there weeks earlier.

"He's had a bit of soft tissue injury on his hip. A hip pointer from a bang," Seibold said on Thursday. "It stirs up a bit. He had a needle and it stirred up his back a bit.

"It's not uncommon. Most players get a hip-pointer injury at some stage when they get a bang on it. A needle numbs the pain. He was uncomfortable during the game, but he trained fully on Tuesday. He's fit to go."

Seibold's explanation sparked concerns over Trbojevic's previous hamstring injury. Back problems have previously been linked to hamstring injuries, but when questioned Seibold was quick to shut down any link: "No, not at all."

While Seibold attempted to quash the drama surrounding Trbojevic, some have been left to question the severity of the injury. The 'NRL Physio' Brien Seeney questioned the timeline of the injury, compared to what was previously stated regarding the injections.

"This is possibly some of the most confusing injury info I've seen," Seeney claimed. "Needle pre-game for hip pointer - back spasms - needle at HT for back spasms? Or needle at HT for hip pointer - back spasms? (but he looked better in the 2nd half?). My head hurts."

In another drama, Manly have ruled Josh Schuster out for a third-straight week. The five-eighth will now target a return from a quad injury in the round-eight match against Wests Tigers on April 23.

Manly coach hits back over Trbojevic drama

Seibold admitted concern for Trbojevic's and the attention placed on the fullback as the 26-year-old attempts to put five hamstring injuries in five years out of his mind. "Everything gets magnified with Tom. I feel sorry for him in a way because every week he has to read about an injury," Seibold said.

"I get the interest because he is one of the elite players in the game. But I feel for him because there is the constant dialogue: Is he fit, is he not? I don't think that's good for him.

"You probably have five or six players through the competition get a hip pointer. You get a bang, you get tackled. The constant speculation around his injuries, it's not a positive. It's a negative. Tom's got some really good processes in place in how he prepares each week."

Manly are looking to get back to winning ways this weekend at Brookvale as they host an in-form Melbourne Storm outfit. The Storm have turned their form around after some early season woes after the return of Cameron Munster. But the five-eighth will be playing fullback this weekend for the Storm after Nick Meaney sits the game out due to concussion.

with AAP

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