True Blue Steve Menzies believes Tom Trbojevic can recapture the form that saw him win a swag of awards in 2021 provided the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles unleash the right game plan to allow him to reach his potential.
Trbojevic last month returned from a two-week visit to world-renowned conditioning specialist Bill Knowles in Philadelphia to address a recurring hamstring injury that put the brakes on his pre-season training.
The 26-year-old had a season to remember two years ago after winning several awards, including the Dally M Medal, Brad Fittler Medal and the RLPA’s Players’ Champion Medal, but any hopes he could repeat the dose last year were cut short after he injured his shoulder in May.
Menzies, who also played for the Sea Eagles and represented NSW on 20 occasions, said his teammates had a key role to play in helping Trbojevic get back to his best this season.
“Fullback is a key position for all teams and Tommy only needs half a chance or opportunity to create something,” Menzies said.
“He shows what he can do, his potential is there, and his 2021 season is one of the best seasons I’ve seen from an individual. Tom was the best player by a long way that season so last year a lot of focus for every team was, “We’ve got to stop this guy.”
“No matter where you are, even if you’re not going to get the ball, players are looking at you as if you’re going to get it so the ballplayers who are passing him the ball have to start mixing it up. If you’re always playing for that player, it’s going to be hard for them.
“He can run, he can pass, and he’s a really good support player so he’ll be involved; it’s just that you can’t go to him every single time because that’s a bit predictable.”
Menzies, who joined the NSWRL Hogs Regional Tour this week to promote registrations for the 2023 Community Rugby League season, also said he hoped the worst of Trbojevic’s injury problems were now behind him.
Knowles has also treated South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell and Melbourne’s Ryan Papenhuyzen, with the former overcoming his hamstring problems following a visit to the US medico last year to finish off the NRL season in devastating fashion.
“Latrell came back and he was on fire so I’m sure they’re confident that the issues Tom has had going forward are going to be positive,” Menzies said.
“I think it’s a good step for the club to do it, especially for him personally. To see other players come and have gone through the program and achieve what they have afterwards must be positive.
“Whenever you get injuries, especially the same injury, the mental side can be just as tough as the physical side so Latrell and the way he came back will be a huge lift for Tommy.”
