Tom Trbojevic has inspired Manly to a dominant victory over the Newcastle Knights in his return to the fullback position.
Just a week after lining up in the centres in his first game since Round 10, the star had a hand in every area of the Sea Eagles attack as they cruised to a 44-6 win on Old Boys’ Day at 4 Pines Park.
Trbojevic’s shift to the centres was short-lived after Tolu Koula suffered a knee injury in the side’s victory over the Cowboys.
Sunday’s performance showed they will be just as potent with the representative star at fullback. The primary goal now for Manly will be keeping Trbojevic healthy and on the field as they make a charge to the finals.
The Sea Eagles ran in eight tries to one in a lopsided affair and now sit seventh on the ladder. The Knights are on the outside looking in, falling to 10th and taking a heavy for and against hit in the process.
Both teams were undermanned as State of Origin and injuries hit the two sides during the week. The group of players unavailable was headlined by Manly duo Jake Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans, while Newcastle trio Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai and Bradman Best were also in camp ahead of Wednesday’s decider.
The Manly dominance started when debutant Jamie Humphreys crossed in just the fifth minute and there was little for Knights fans to celebrate until Tyson Frizell crashed over with seven minutes to play.
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