Broncos coach Kevin Walters is confident his team can handle the red-hot form of Manly star Tom Trbojevic as stats reveal the Sea Eagles fullback is creating big plays almost every six times he touches the ball.
Since returning from a hamstring strain four weeks ago, Trbojevic has racked up incredible numbers ... five tries, eight try assists and seven line break assists from just 130 touches of the ball.
Trbojevic’s stunning form to spark a Manly revival prompted former Broncos great Steve Renouf to rate him “the most influential player in the competition” in his NRL.com column on Thursday.
Among players who have been regular first-graders this year, Trbojevic has the highest ratio of quality touches - tries and line breaks or plays that lead to them.
He has done this 29 times in four games to be well clear of wingers Brett Morris, Alex Johnston and Josh Addo-Carr, and Eels bench forward Bryce Cartwright.
Remarkably, his purple patch is not the greatest statistical return in NRL history. Raiders five-eighth Terry Campese in 2008 from round 22 to 25 amassed a combined total of 31 tries, try assists, line breaks and line break assists.
Walters admitted Trbojevic was in sublime touch but it’s not an uncommon theme for star players to strike it hot in the NRL so he won't be focusing too much attention on one man.
“Oh yeah, I think we’ve seen that before from different players throughout the NRL era,” Walters said.
“He is one of many, so again if we just focus on Tom someone else will get under our guard.
“We have to make sure across the board we treat Manly with the respect they deserve.
Sea Eagles v Broncos - Magic Round
“He is a great player but we just have to limit what he can do with our defence, we need to work hard and just do a good job on him.
“He is obviously a good player but there is 16 other players to concern us as well.”
Walters said the rise of Trbojevic had stoked the fire within his own fullback Jamayne Isaako who needs to turn a quiet game last week in the loss to North Queensland into a blockbuster on his home turf.
Walters took exception to claims Isaako hasn’t produced back-to-back solid performances this season with four tries, four try assists and six line breaks in nine games.
“I think that’s a bit unfair, I think he has been one of our more consistent players this year,” Walters said.
“He was a bit off last week and you get that, but I expect him to be one of our top two or three players.
“He is looking forward to the challenge of playing the Manly side and particularly the Manly No.1."
