Trbojevic out of Titans game as Manly defend his form

Anthony Seibold has launched an impassioned defence of Tom Trbojevic's form on the back of the superstar being ruled out of the Sea Eagles' clash with Gold Coast.

Trbojevic trained for the first time on Friday since limping from the field in last Sunday's win over Wests Tigers with a groin strain.

Manly were expecting him to be fit to face the Titans on Saturday, with Seibold declaring him on track to run out when he fronted media on Friday.

However, they later made the call after training to sit Trbojevic out and play Kaeo Weekes at fullback, with the regular ace to return against Brisbane next Friday.

The No.1 battled a hip-pointer injury in a loss to Penrith earlier this month, and also suffered back spasms in the same game.

Conjecture has lingered whether he will regain his NSW State of Origin spot, with suggestions he is playing within himself after facing two months in the spotlight over his fitness.

Major concerns were also raised in last week's win over the Tigers, when the usually lightning-quick fullback was chased down by a prop in the lead up to Manly's first try.

Seibold, however, was keen to defend Trbojevic's form.

The coach said comparisons were being made to Trbojevic's form in 2021 when he won the Dally M Medal, which was one of the best individual seasons in the game's history.

"We think he has had a really positive start to the year. He sits in the top 10 in the Dally M leaderboard, that says a fair bit," Seibold said. 

"People have been speculating on whether he is playing good footy or isn't. 

"But everyone compares Tom to that period in 2021 where he was scoring two or three tries a game and setting up two or three. 

"That had never been seen before, and I'm not sure if it will be seen again." 

Trbojevic was limited to games between 2019 and 2022, but Seibold rejected any suggestion the club had covered up further injuries this year.

"Silence is probably the best response to that," Seibold said.

"We have never put a player out there who couldn't do the job." 

Manly will, however, take a long-term approach with Josh Schuster.

The five-eighth has been held back this week after returning against the Tigers last Sunday.

Schuster did not suffer any further damage in that match, but Seibold said the 21-year-old was not at his best and the club believes he needs reconditioning after a run of calf and quad injuries.

"We need Josh at his best," Seibold said.

"This is an approach that was collaborate with the performance staff, medical staff, Josh and myself. 

"He has to take ownership of the next few weeks and get through that criteria that is in place for him to tick off. 

"And then we'll see him at some stage in first grade, I have no doubt, in the next couple of weeks."