Tom Trbojevic shoots down concerns surrounding return from shoulder injury in NRL finals

Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic has shut down concern he won't be able to bring his best game for the NRL finals clash with the Bulldogs this week as he comes back from a shock shoulder injury. Two weeks ago, Trbojevic walked off the field clutching at his shoulder with fears his season could be over for the Manly Sea Eagles.

Trbojevic suffered an AC joint tear, which forced him out for the final regular season game. Last week, Manly were humiliated at home to the Sharks without their star fullback. Fortunately for Trbojevic and Manly fans, the fullback's recovery has gone to plan.

Trbojevic returns for the clash against the Bulldogs this week and is confident there is nothing stopping him from returning to his best for, which saw him tear apart the Bulldogs in round 26. This was the same game he injured his shoulder.

And the Manly superstar isn't concerned about the pain in his shoulder and has reassured fans he is good to go. "A lot of people get needles. I've done it before," he said when talking about his pain management.

"It's all fine. It feels fine. It will be good to go. I've only missed one game, so it's not like I am coming back from a long lay off. It's not like I haven't played footy for a long time.

"You just have to go back, focus on being the best you can at training and going out there and just performing." Trbojevic has returned to some of his career best form this year and is a outside chance of bringing home his second Dally M award. Jahrome Hughes and James Tedesco still remain the favourites.

Trbojevic said - a week before his injury - he had found that scintillating form that saw him win the Dally M medal in 2021. Although Trbojevic admitted he had fears his season was over ahead of the finals when going off injured with his shoulder. "I didn't know what it was. I have never had (a shoulder injury) to that extent. It was quite sore and I did fear the worst," Trbojevic said.

"I could feel my shoulder was sore, I was bleeding, I was trying to work out what was happening. But once I got in the rooms and worked out what it was, it was somewhat easier and I would be back playing footy in a few weeks."

Tom Trbojevic teammate praised his return against Bulldogs

Trbojevic will be near the top of the Dally M leaderboard considering he has scored 10 tries and set up 11 in just the seven games back from his hamstring injury he suffered earlier in the season. And second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu said Trbojevic's presence is enough to lift the Sea Eagles dressing room.

“He’s been through a lot over the past few years, so knowing that he’s going to be in the change rooms is massive,” Olakau’atu said. “I have to step my game up for the boys but also for him because he’s been through a lot.

Nathan Cleary set for Penrith Panthers return

Trbojevic isn't the only mega star set for a return. Nathan Cleary has not played footy since round 24 having left the field clutching at his shoulder against the Storm. The Panthers missed Cleary in a shock loss to the Raiders, but managed to bounce and finish in second on the ladder. Cleary's fitness and recovery has been kept quiet for some time.

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However, Cleary is set to line-up for the Panthers on Friday night against the Roosters with coach Ivan Cleary backing the halfback's return to fitness. “His rehab has gone really well and he’s feeling really confident, so everything has gone to plan. Because he hasn’t been playing, we haven’t really been worrying about him," coach Cleary said.

“With him coming back in and being our chief playmaker and one of our captains, he’ll move the team around and give everyone a bit of direction and confidence.” Roosters second-rower Angus Crichton is expected to target the halfback who is also returning from a shoulder injury injured.”