Anthony Siebold confirms star fullback is fit and raring to go for 2023 NRL season

It is the news all Sea Eagles fans – and many NRL supporters – were desperate to hear – star fullback Tom Trbojevic is finally injury free.

The 2021 Dally M Medallist recently returned from the US, where he spent time fine-tuning his body with renowned reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles.

It followed a hamstring strain during pre-season training in December. 

While he won’t feature in any of Manly’s trial games as a precaution, incoming coach Anthony Siebold confirmed the 26-year-old will be named for their season opener against the Bulldogs on March 4.

Speaking on SEN Radio, Siebold – who has replaced Des Hasler in the hot seat on Sydney’s northern beaches – told hosts Andrew Voss and Greg Alexander the brilliant no.1 will feature when it matters.

‘Tom is fit,’ Seibold said.

‘It was our captain’s run on Thursday – he trained fully in that – and he trained on Tuesday night.

‘If we were to play next week, Tom would be available.

‘Unless something unforeseen happens over the next week, Tom will be right for Round 1.’

The amount of time the NSW Origin star has spent on the sidelines in recent years has been a source of frustration for many footy fans given Trbojevic’s brilliance.

Some are even loudly questioning if he will ever shake his ‘injury prone’ tag.  

Trbojevic hasn’t featured in a competitive NRL match since May 20 last year, when he injured his shoulder against Parramatta.

He has played just 32 games the past three seasons, prompting long standing club identity Peter ‘Zorba’ Peters to recently suggest the club show local junior Trbojevic the door if he continues to spend more time in the grandstand.

That comment got under the skin of Siebold, who didn’t feel Peters’ view was ‘educated.’ 

Peters retorted the under pressure former mentor of the Broncos and Rabbitohs was merely a ‘P-Plate coach’ in the NRL.

Manly, who missed the finals last year after losing seven successive matches in the lead up to the semi-finals, are paying $23 to win the premiership this season.

They also attracted headlines around the world last year when seven players stood down from the Round 20 match against the Sydney Roosters because they collectively opposed the rainbow colours on the club’s pride jersey, citing religious and cultural beliefs.