It's not the journey but the destination that counts now: Turbo

Tom Trbojevic’s return has come at exactly the right time for Manly, with the Sea Eagles skipper back on deck as they prepare for the two biggest games of their season.

After helping his team snap a six-game losing streak with a win over the Knights, Trbojevic has given the Sea Eagles renewed belief heading into the final two rounds, even if their top-eight hopes hang by a thread. 

The first part of the assignment is Friday's clash with the Dragons at 4 Pines Park before travelling to Auckland in Round 27 to face the Warriors.

The ninth-placed Sea Eagles know they must win both games and then rely on results elsewhere to sneak into the top eight. Otherwise it's no finals for a second year running.

“All we can control is these two games of footy,” Trbojevic said.

“Unfortunately, we have put ourselves in this situation and it’s disappointing considering where we were.

“Ultimately, we have two games of footy left and we need to win both.”

The 29-year-old pulled up well from his first game back after a hamstring injury, playing a key role in Manly’s 44-24 win over the Knights.

“Pulled up good,” Trbojevic said.

“It was good to get back out there and get the two points.”

His return has provided a timely boost for a Sea Eagles side that looked destined for finals oblivion after six losses in a row between Round 18 and 24.

Manly had enjoyed a promising start under Kieran Foran, but a mounting injury toll to key players disrupted their momentum. 

Now, with their captain back and just two games remaining, Trbojevic believes there is still plenty of good footy to play. 

“When we are at our best, we are a really good footy side,” he said.

“There’s been periods this year that we have been so far away from that. There’s too big a gap from our best and our worst.

“Overall this year we are really growing as a side.

“Two games to go to continue to do that and, if the stars align, we’ll see where we are at.”

The Sea Eagles also received another boost against Newcastle, with Josh Feledy making the most of his opportunity after replacing the injured Tolu Koula.

The young centre scored a hat-trick and could be the attacking difference Manly has needed, as he prepares to line up in the starting side against the Dragons.

“Foz has really simplified it: prepare like you are going to play,” Feledy said.

“We need to go out there with a good mindset and we need to win both games, and that’s what we’re going to do.”