Tom Trbojevic retirement debate ramps up amid Kalyn Ponga resurgence
Kalyn Ponga's stunning club form since stepping aside from rep footy has turned the spotlight on Tom Trbojevic.
The stunning late season resurgence of Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga has sparked calls for Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic to follow suit by stepping down from representative footy. The injury-prone Sea Eagles fullback has endured another frustrating NRL season after being sidelined since State of Origin Game II, having picked up a pec injury at the start of the game for the Blues.
It's the second year in a row that Trbojevic has been ruled out of the majority of the season, with the 26-year-old dislocating his shoulder in a Sea Eagles game against Parramatta in 2022. The Manly fullback played the season of his life in 2021, which included player of the series honours in NSW's Origin triumph and the Dally M Medal for his incredible performances with the Sea Eagles.
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The sad reality for Trbojevic and Manly fans is that keeping their inspirational No.1 on the field for extended periods has proven almost impossible. Calls are now growing for Trbojevic to follow Ponga's lead by making himself unavailable for rep footy, and concentrating on his club career with the Sea Eagles.
Ponga's form for the Knights has been electric since he told Maroons coach Billy Slater he didn't want to be considered for Origin selection this year after missing so many games due to repeated concussions. Granted, the shift from five-eighth to his more preferred fullback has also helped but Ponga has transformed a Newcastle side out of finals contention a couple of months ago, into a genuine finals dark horse.
Calls for Tom Trbojevic to focus solely on club career
Speaking on NRL 360 on Tuesday night, league reporter David Riccio said it was time Trbojevic considered retiring from rep footy for the good of his career with Manly. “I am the biggest fan of Tom Trbojevic in a Blues jersey and I’m there cheering just as hard as the next NSW supporter and I still recall his stunning 2021 Origin series,” Riccio started off by saying.
“But the time has come for Tom to consider what Kalyn Ponga has been able to do for Newcastle this year on the back of stepping down from State of Origin and putting his club first. Tom is again missing for now what is a mad scramble for Manly to make this top eight.
“They are long odds and Tom is such a major influence to that footy side that winning a premiership surely now supersedes what he has already achieved in the Blues jumper for NSW. Injury after injury is what Tommy has copped through the State of Origin period. He is their highest paid player. There is no greater investment at Manly than Tom Trbojevic at $1.2 million.
“And the time has come I believe that he should have some deep thinking about next year only for a year and let’s see what comes out of a 25 game Tom Trbojevic and the Manly Sea Eagles.”
Backlash over Tom Trbojevic rep footy call
Panelist and fellow league reporter Paul Crawley warned though that putting clubs before rep teams could set a dangerous precedent. “I agree that this would be in Manly’s best interests, but I don’t believe it is in the game’s best interests,” Crawley said.
“It was always the NSW or Queensland doctor that made a determination if a player was ready for Origin or not. All the clubs receive payback for the fact that Origin is the biggest thing in the game.”
League great Gorden Tallis pointed out that Trbojevic's injuries have come at different stages and in different areas, and merely stepping down from Origin won't solve the problem. “You get injured at every level, you get injured at training,” Tallis said. Tom wasn’t playing that well before State of Origin, so we can’t blame State of Origin on the injury. You can get injured every week.”
Tallis argued he is more remembered for his achievements in rep footy than what he achieved at club level. Crawley insisted clubs and the game ultimately benefit from having their best players feature in the representative arena.
“Origin is taxing on the clubs, but usually they return to their clubs as greater players because of it," he said. “It is in Manly’s best interests, but if every club did it... Every club could have the same idea about their star player. And if they all did that what becomes of Origin.”
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