Moving freely... Tom Trbojevic is looking forward to working on his fitness and speed over summer. Photo: Tom Logan.
In an ominous warning to rivals, Manly’s Tom Trbojevic wants to increase his speed and size in in 2017.
The Sea Eagles’ Player of the Year is now walking without the aid of a moonboot following post season ankle surgery.
“I’ve been able to play with it pretty comfortably over the past two years, but this year, was probably the toughest because late in games, it pulled up sore,’’ Tom said.
“I always did plenty of work during the week to try and get it right (for a game). It would feel alright during the first half, but in the second half, it would flare up due to putting excess pressure on it, or as a result of fatigue.
“I had trouble with it for about four or five games there this season. It would just get sore and stiffen up.”
With the Sea Eagles suffering a crippling injury toll, Tom played through the pain towards the back end of the season as Manly tried valiantly to make the finals series.
The flying full-back/winger finished the season with 10 tries in 23 matches. Along with older brother Jake, Tom has extended his contract at the Sea Eagles until the end of the 2020 season.
With the NRL squad beginning pre-season training on November 1, Tom’s focus will be on his rehab and fitness work under Dan Ferris, Manly’s Head of Physical Performance.
“I got run down a few times this season. You like to score tries and not get run down. Hopefully I can get a bit quicker over the pre-season,’’ Trbojevic said.
“What I am looking for is to have a more stable ankle that I won’t keep injuring. If I can get that, I would be very happy with the surgery.
“Dan is really good with speed work. Hopefully I can pick up my speed a little bit. It is always good to be bigger, stronger, and faster.”
Tom also has another important date on his mind – October 29 – the day Jake is tipped to make his Australian Kangaroos debut against Scotland Bravehearts in the Four Nations tournament in Hull.
He is immensely proud of his brother and team-mate.
“What Jake has done in the last few years has been incredible. He was Manly’s Player of the Year (2015), has captained the club, and now he is going to play for Australia,’’ Tom said.
“I admire Jake for he has achieved. He has a strong passion for the game and it shows on the field for Manly. He is the one player in our team who hates losing the most.”
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