Laurie Daley has just had the decision about whether to pick Jake Trbojevic made for him.
The inspirational NSW skipper, under immense pressure to retain his Blues spot before Manly’s 24-6 win over North Queensland, suffered a sickening concussion that effectively ruled him out of the opening match of the State of Origin series.
Younger brother Tom, who along with fellow sibling Ben saw the disturbing scenes, is also no sure thing of being picked for the opening interstate encounter at Suncorp Stadium.
Trbojevic lay motionless on his back for more than two minutes after a collision with Murray Taulagi in the 25th minute.
Trbojevic’s night finished prematurely after he got his head in the wrong position. Eventually he was able to regain his feet, with the help of Sea Eagles staffers.
It is a measure of the man that, even in his groggy state, he was exhorting his teammates as he slowly made his way from Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
“As a mate, it does get hard to see those things on a footy field,” said Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans told Fox League.
“I can’t even imagine how his brothers would feel seeing something like that. They really are the uncomfortable parts as a footy player.
“I do think he’s OK … the fact that he’s out here shaking hands, it’s a good sign.”
Manly coach Anthony Seibold added: “Obviously it was a really sad sight to see him concussed there.
“That’s the second one in the last month. We have a lot of concern for Jake, but he’s up and about. Obviously he will miss next week and we need to look after his welfare.”
Spared one tough call, Daley must make another; the appointment of a new skipper.
There is a chance that the Blues could be a Trbojevic-free zone when returning coach Daley names his first team. A night after Zac Lomax and Jacob Kiraz starred for their respective clubs, “Turbo” didn’t appear to be fully fit during a match in which he struggled to assert himself.
The Sea Eagles fullback apparently battled through the pain of a corked thigh last weekend and again moved gingerly at times against the Cowboys. He butchered a certain try when teammate a pass from Caleb Navale bounced off his chest. In a bizarre postscript, he was sin-binned with one second left on the game clock.
“It was hard for ‘Turbo’ to use his weapons when we were coming off the tryline like that,” Seibold said.
“One of the things he did really well tonight – while he wasn’t happy with some aspects of his attack and his involvement – he was outstanding defensively.
“His line organisation, his movements at fullback were elite. That’s the part that I was really proud of with Turbo.”
Cowboys halfback Tom Dearden was involved in much of the good football produced from his side. Given Maroons utility Ben Hunt is currently sidelined, opponents Dearden and Daly Cherry-Evans could soon be Origin teammates.
There were other battles between Origin hopefuls, such as the entertaining clash between Haumole Olakau’atu and Jeremiah Nanai. It remains to be seen whether either did enough.
Ultimately, the difference in Townsville was Jason Saab, who scored two tries. There was the long-range variety, in which he displayed his pace, and then his leaping ability was on display when he came down with a Cherry-Evans cross kick.
