The Manly Sea Eagles secured a dominant 38-6 victory over North Queensland in Townsville, though the win was overshadowed by a significant injury to star fullback and captain Tom Trbojevic.
Trbojevic Sidelined by Hamstring Injury
The Sea Eagles captain was forced to exit the arena in the 13th minute of Thursday night’s clash after clutching his left hamstring. Trbojevic, who has a long history of similar injuries, appeared visibly devastated as he limped off the field.
Coach Kieran Foran noted that the captain “is not looking too good at the moment” and confirmed that a scan will be conducted to assess the severity of the damage.
Manly’s Clinical Performance
Despite the early loss of their leader, Manly maintained control throughout the match. Winger Lehi Hopoate set the tone with two early tries, while Jamal Fogarty and Luke Brooks delivered standout performances in the halves.
The Sea Eagles demonstrated tactical flexibility, moving Tolutau Koula to fullback and bringing on Clayton Faulalo at centre to cover the disruption. Koula further impressed with a critical try-saving tackle on winger Brandon Burns in the second half.
Other contributors included Ben Trbojevic and prop Taniela Paseka, who both scored tries. Prop Kobe Hetherington also provided a strong presence in the middle during the “carve-up” of the Cowboys’ defense.
Cowboys Struggle with Errors
North Queensland, coming off four consecutive wins, appeared a shadow of their previous form. Captain Reuben Cotter attributed the loss to a high volume of mistakes, noting a dismal 49 per cent completion rate in the first half.
The errors continued throughout the night, including a spilled kick from fullback Scott Drinkwater during his 150th NRL match. Coach Todd Payten and Cotter both expressed extreme frustration with the “sloppy” effort.
In a particularly brutal moment, Mikaele was denied a endeavor after losing the ball just short of the line; he has now gone seven years in the NRL without scoring a try.
Looking Ahead
Manly now sits in fourth position on the ladder. Coach Foran is set to lead the team in his first home match as coach next week against a struggling Parramatta side.
The team’s strategy for the upcoming game may depend on the results of Trbojevic’s scan. If the injury is severe, Manly could be forced to permanently shift their positional structure or rely on the form of Tolutau Koula in the fullback role.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the status of Tom Trbojevic’s injury?
Tom Trbojevic suffered an injury to his left hamstring in the 13th minute of the match. Coach Kieran Foran stated he is not looking good and will undergo a scan to determine the severity.
How has Kieran Foran performed since taking over as coach?
Foran has maintained an unbeaten run, winning his first three games since replacing former head mentor Anthony Seibold.
Why did the North Queensland Cowboys struggle in this match?
The Cowboys committed numerous errors and had a first-half completion rate of only 49 per cent, which captain Reuben Cotter said prevented them from giving themselves a chance.
With Tom Trbojevic facing a potential layoff, can the Sea Eagles maintain their current momentum heading into their first home game under Foran?
