Trbojevic limps off as Sharks score trial win over Sea Eagles
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Josh Morris scored his first try in Cronulla colours but all eyes at Shark Park were on Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic limping off the playing field with a left leg injury on Saturday night.
The Origin and Test back recovered a routine kick downfield by Sharks halfback Chad Townsend and headed about a metre upfield to be met by Morris and Scott Sorensen.
Trbojevic seemed to slip over on the wet grass and immediately signalled to the bench after he played the ball just before the half-time break.
The star fullback didn't return for the second half and there was no consolation prize – the Sharks ran out winners 28-22 on their home turf.
Manly coach Des Hasler confirmed after the game Trbojevic was facing up to a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, putting him in serious doubt for round one.
Match Highlights: Sea Eagles v Sharks
The other notable mentions on a rain-drenched night in the Shire were Dylan Walker starting at his preferred No.3 spot at right centre and former Sharks head coach Shane Flanagan sitting up in the last row of the members stand to watch his son Kyle Flanagan play at five-eighth. He reverted to No.7 in the second half.
Flanagan set up 18-year-old Bronson Xerri for his first four-pointer in first grade and kicked four conversions.
Walker, who is due back in Manly Local Court on Tuesday where he is fighting domestic violence charges, looked his usual dangerous self in attack.
Match: Sea Eagles v Sharks
Round 2 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
11th Position
away Team
Sharks
8th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
He actually crossed in the north-east corner in the 22nd minute only for referee Dave Munro to disallow the try due to a forward pass from Daly Cherry-Evans.
Manly led at half-time 18-12 but then Hasler sent a new 13 onto the field for the second half.
The Sharks scored two quick tries and took the lead in the 48th minute (24-18) for the first time in the match.
Manly recruit Kane Elgey played in the halves for the second 40 minutes as Cherry-Evans was rested.
Tom Trbojevic injured
Therefore it would appear Trent Hodkinson has the inside running for the No.6 jersey as no comparison was possible without the skipper playing in tandem with the former Titans half.
Perhaps Manly fans will get a better idea of who will partner Cherry-Evans for round one of the Telstra Premiership after Manly's second trial against the Roosters at Gosford next weekend
It ended up five tries to four with Morris scoring the Sharks opener in the 16th minute after a sweeping move upfield by Cronulla off the back of Flanagan intercepting a Hodkinson pass and put Xerri in the clear for his try.
But the first points of the match came Manly's way and Sea Eagles fans didn't have to wait long. Big Martin Taupau went straight through some soft defence in the middle to score in the second minute.
Hodkinson kicked three goals from three attempts before he was rested for the second half.
As per the norm for most clubs at trials, few of the big names from the Sharks NRL side took part. Shaun Johnson, Matt Moylan, Paul Gallen, Andrew Fifita, Matt Prior and Aaron Woods didn't feature while Josh Dugan is also recovering from off-season surgery.
