Trbojevic injury blow for Manly Eels Matterson facing ban until finals
A plate inserted in his cheekbone from a previous fracture has saved Tom Trbojevic’s season but Eels back-rower Ryan Matterson is almost certain not to play again until the finals for a tackle on Brad Parker which resulted in him being sent off.
Dally M favourite Trbojevic reported swelling and bruising on his face after being given an early shower in Manly’s 56-10 thumping of the struggling Eels at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday night.
“Fortunately, the hit was on a plate that he has from a previous fracture which prevented a serious injury from occurring,†the Sea Eagles said in a statement. “Tom has some swelling and bruising around the site. He will be given every chance to prove his fitness for next Friday night’s match against the Canberra Raiders.â€
The 24-year-old scored a try and had four try assists as Manly closed in on the top four and virtually ended Parramatta’s hopes of a double chance in the finals with a sparkling display.
Trbojevic had previously fractured his cheekbone in the final round of Manly’s 2018 season and underwent surgery days later.
He went straight to the sidelines after being hit across the head in a tackle by Maika Sivo, who was fined $1700 for a grade one careless high tackle.
Tom Trbojevic has suffered swelling and bruising after a hit to his cheekbone.Credit:Getty Images
The NRL match review committee came down harder on Matterson, who is facing a three-game ban with an early guilty plea for a grade three careless high tackle which left Parker concussed. He will miss five matches if he unsuccessfully challenges the charge at the judiciary.
The Eels still have to face the Cowboys, Storm and Panthers in the final three weeks of the season before a likely elimination clash in the first week of the play-offs.
Parker will undergo concussion protocols after being knocked out following a tackle from Eels back-rower Ryan Matterson, which prompted him to be sent from the field.
Wests Tigers pair Jacob Liddle and Thomas Mikaele are also facing one-game bans for separate crusher tackle charges for an incident involving the Cowboys’ Heilum Luki.
Adam Pengilly is a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.
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