This is the untold story of the aftermath to Tom Trbojevic’s sprint down Manly Corso when he lost out to a young mystery man named Harry after a day on the drink to celebrate Brad Parker’s birthday.
In terms of rugby league incidents, it was very low on the misbehaviour scale, but it was high in terms of impact on a football team.
It left Trbojevic – one of the game’s genuine good guys – embarrassed, not because Harry beat him, but because Tommy Turbo had let down his club, his teammates and all of those who invested so much time and money in getting him fit for the 2021 season.
Trbojevic doesn’t like letting people down. It’s a strong family trait. His brother Jake has been known to cry after losses.
And now we can tell you the tale of Tommy’s tears. He knew he did the wrong thing that night on the Corso, and he knows no one believes he slipped in the bathroom the morning after and injured a hamstring. He maintains the story of the bathroom mishap is true and that it wasn’t the first stride of the race that led to yet another hamstring problem.
Regardless, he wanted to make up for being out on the drink. In what may be a first in rugby league, he asked the club to fine him. He was emotional when it happened. He knew missing even a month of football would have serious implications for Manly’s season. And it has. The fine was Trbojevic’s way of saying sorry.
But that idea evolved into something else altogether.
It was decided Trbojevic, a legend of local league who cut his teeth with the Mona Vale Raiders, would put some of his salary towards junior players in the area. No one will confirm the amount, but it is believed to be in the vicinity of $20,000. The money will be given to the Sea Eagles Foundation with the instruction it will be spent on junior football.
However, Trbojevic wanted to do more. He told the club he would like to work in the junior league community; to give back to the kids he disappointed by setting a poor example. Again, no one from the club will give us his schedule, but they say the story is correct.
Trbojevic also wants to make it up to the rehab staff. He has done that by being as diligent as he can be. His scans last week were encouraging. He has been doing contact work at training. He is ready to return this week against the Titans in Mudgee. And that’s his chance to make it up to his teammates and the fans.
www.smh.com.au
In terms of rugby league incidents, it was very low on the misbehaviour scale, but it was high in terms of impact on a football team.
It left Trbojevic – one of the game’s genuine good guys – embarrassed, not because Harry beat him, but because Tommy Turbo had let down his club, his teammates and all of those who invested so much time and money in getting him fit for the 2021 season.
Trbojevic doesn’t like letting people down. It’s a strong family trait. His brother Jake has been known to cry after losses.
And now we can tell you the tale of Tommy’s tears. He knew he did the wrong thing that night on the Corso, and he knows no one believes he slipped in the bathroom the morning after and injured a hamstring. He maintains the story of the bathroom mishap is true and that it wasn’t the first stride of the race that led to yet another hamstring problem.
Regardless, he wanted to make up for being out on the drink. In what may be a first in rugby league, he asked the club to fine him. He was emotional when it happened. He knew missing even a month of football would have serious implications for Manly’s season. And it has. The fine was Trbojevic’s way of saying sorry.
But that idea evolved into something else altogether.
It was decided Trbojevic, a legend of local league who cut his teeth with the Mona Vale Raiders, would put some of his salary towards junior players in the area. No one will confirm the amount, but it is believed to be in the vicinity of $20,000. The money will be given to the Sea Eagles Foundation with the instruction it will be spent on junior football.
However, Trbojevic wanted to do more. He told the club he would like to work in the junior league community; to give back to the kids he disappointed by setting a poor example. Again, no one from the club will give us his schedule, but they say the story is correct.
Trbojevic also wants to make it up to the rehab staff. He has done that by being as diligent as he can be. His scans last week were encouraging. He has been doing contact work at training. He is ready to return this week against the Titans in Mudgee. And that’s his chance to make it up to his teammates and the fans.
Trbojevic asked to be fined for sprint session
The Sea Eagles star was embarrassed by his actions that fateful night on the Corso - and has been quietly working to make it up to everyone at the club ever since.
