'Devastating': Manly rocked by fresh Tom Trbojevic injury heartbreak

Manly lock Jake Trbojevic was left choking back tears after his brother Tom suffered another injury in his comeback game for the Sea Eagles on Saturday.

Trbojevic's NRL return turned into a nightmare after a shoulder injury put his State of Origin hopes in doubt and Manly were thumped 42-24 by Gold Coast.

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In his first game back since tearing his hamstring three months ago, Trbojevic lasted just 63 minutes before succumbing to a shoulder injury that needs scans.

The 23-year-old bravely fought on after trying to make a last-line-of-defence tackle on AJ Brimson, before succumbing nine minutes later.

There were initial hopes from Manly it was only a burner, but there are now fears of rotator cuff damage with the superstar fullback in for scans late on Saturday night.

Tom's big brother Jake was visibly distraught talking about his younger sibling's latest injury setback after the match.

“I just hope he is all right. It is just devastating,” Jake Trbojevic said.

“He has had such a hard run the last couple of years. It is so frustrating for him and being his big brother it is tough to see how hard it is on him.

“I hope he is all right, but he will be so disappointed with today. He works so hard and just loves his football.

“To have another injury is just so devastating.”

The elder Trbojevic brother lamented what has turned into a disastrous season for the Sea Eagles, brought about in large part due to Tom's round seven hamstring injury.

“It is tough because we get a lot of confidence from having him on the field,” Trbojevic said.

“I think you see that because back in Round 6 when we beat Canberra we were on top of the world after a really hard-fought win.

“We lost Tom for 12 weeks and our season went backwards. It is just hard because he gives us a lot of confidence.

“Having him back today everyone was so excited and there was a really good feel because we see how hard he works and for him to go down again it is just devastating.”

Injury could end Turbo’s Origin hopes

The injury comes at the worst possible time for Trbojevic, with Manly's final games an opportunity to press his case for State of Origin selection at the end of the season.

Manly won't take any risks with him in the final round, which would have doubled as his last chance to impress NSW coach Brad Fittler.

He looked particularly rusty at the back, with two of his four errors coming after the shoulder blow.

His presence in attack helped Manly score one try as he drew in two defenders off the ball, while he also helped chase down Titans flyer Treymain Spry Sprei to deny him a 90-metre intercept try.

But on other occasions his lay off showed, failing to shadow a grubber dead to allow Kevin Proctor to score and fumbling a poor Tevita Funa pass in the lead up to another Titans try.

Regardless, Manly were completely outplayed by a Gold Coast side who put on their equal-highest score in their 14-year history.

The Titans have now won four straight for the first time since 2014, and are ninth on the ladder after being tipped by most to collect the wooden spoon.

Brimson bagged a double, including an 80-metre effort that left referee Matt Noyen with an injured hamstring after Young Tonumaipea found his fullback from a 20-metre tap.

Tonumaipea also claimed a brace, making the most of a 60-metre intercept from Corey Thompson for his second.

Thompson finished the game off with a hamstring injury after earlier scoring one of his own, while hooker Mitch Rein suffered a badly damaged eye socket.

Sam Stone and Spry scored the Titans' others, as they went from 6-0 down to 42-12 leaders.

The result means Manly will finish the year with just one win from seven games at Brookvale, making for their worst winning percentage at the ground in history.

with AAP