LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Tom Trbojevic had an impressive performance in Manly's win over the Cowboys, showcasing the team's premiership potential.
However, keeping him on the field for the entire 80 minutes when the outcome was already decided was a risky decision.
Other coaches, such as Craig Bellamy, opted to rest key players early in similar situations, but Anthony Seibold chose to leave Trbojevic on the field.
This decision was questioned due to Trbojevic's injury history and lack of pre-season game time.
The writer highlights the potential consequences of this decision, stating, "Could you imagine the uproar if he got injured again on Saturday night taking meaningless hit-ups and hanging his arm out to try and prevent tries that had no bearing on the result." It is suggested that Trbojevic should have been substituted or moved to a less physically demanding position to minimize the risk of injury.
Leaving him on the field in the final minutes was seen as unnecessary and potentially dangerous.
Overall, the article emphasizes the need for coaches to prioritize player safety, especially in situations where victory is already secured.
The decision to keep Trbojevic on the field for the entire game despite the circumstances was seen as a mistake that could have had negative consequences.
By highlighting this incident, the writer raises awareness of the importance of managing player workload and minimizing injury risks in professional sports.