Tom Trbojevic has had a wretched run with injury this season but Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has given the Manly superstar something to look forward to after declaring him as the first person he will select for his extended State of Origin squad next month.
Trbojevic was making his comeback from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since June against the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday but lasted only 61 minutes before leaving the field with a shoulder injury after attempting a tackle on AJ Brimson.
Speaking on The Sunday Footy Show yesterday, Trbojevic said scans had cleared him of a rotator cuff injury but he would still be sidelined for the next four weeks which would leave him with a serious lack of game time under his belt before the Origin series starts in November.
“We’ve got an Origin series on at the end of the year, will you be right from the 19th October to go into camp?” Fittler asked.
Trobojevic responded: “Yeah, I definitely think I’ll be right. It’s unfortunate I haven’t got to play much footy this year but I’ll definitely be right to go if the coach picks me.”
Fittler said: “Well it’s official mate. If you stop sooking you’re officially the first person in the squad of 27. Well done.”
Trbojevic, who fought back from another hamstring injury last season to make a successful return to the Origin arena where he scored a hat trick in Game Two in Perth, was grateful for the show of faith.
“I don’t know how you pick that if I’m the first person in but thanks,” Trbojevic said.
“It will obviously be great to be in that squad and it’s a real honour to wear the NSW jersey.”
Trbojevic said he had not experienced a shoulder injury before and was relieved to find out it was not as serious first thought.
“The shoulder’s all right, it’s not too bad, a bit of a Grade Two carry on,” Trbojevic said.
“I won’t be able to play next week but it’s not too bad in the long run.
“I’ve never really done a shoulder injury so I wasn’t too sure. I didn’t really know what to think of it and I couldn’t get too much strength in it.
“I went off and got scans and it’s not too bad which is good news.
“The doctor said I can try and come back in four or so weeks so obviously it’s the end of the year and we’ve got one game left which I won’t be able to play. It’s about a four week return from my understanding.”