Turbo-charged Sea Eagles thrash woeful Titans in Mudgee

Turbo is back in a big way, and so are Manly, after a season-reviving 36-0 win over an off-key Gold Coast in Mudgee.

In his first 80-minute hitout in 301 days, superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic scored a try, set up two and clocked up more than 200 run metres in a stunning man-of-the-match performance at Glen Willow Oval.

Manly led 26-0 at halftime and continued to take the air from the Titans’ tyres after the break, coasting to victory to move further clear of the NRL basement.

The huge win just reaffirmed Trbojevic’s value to this Manly side, with the Sea Eagles boasting a success rate of 75 per cent with him in the team over the past two years.

The maroon and whites entered this game with just eight tries for the season and almost doubled that tally as the Turbo-charged Sea Eagles made it back-to-back wins for the first time since July.

Just as importantly, the chicken wire defence of recent weeks suddenly looked reinforced with industrial-strength steel thanks to Trbojevic’s composure and organisation at the back

Players around him are lifted by his presence alone.

“He’s Manly’s version of Superman. They go from no chance to almost certainties when he plays,” four-time premiership-winner Cooper Cronk remarked.

Gold Coast had no kryptonite and no answer to the Trbojevic onslaught.

The champion No. 1 made a half-break with his first touch before setting-up Manly’s opening try with a smart ball to Brad Parker in the 10th minute.

He really tested those hamstrings midway through the first half, stretching out at full pace to back up a Lachlan Croker break.

The Sea Eagles scored from the next play on their way to a 16-0 lead.

Then came a five-minute passage that removed any doubt Trbojevic was back to his free-running best.

Hitting a gap 30m out, Trbojevic clapped on the pace and backed himself to beat AJ Brimson to the line for his first try in 10 months.

Minutes later, he used his speed to get on the outside of the Gold Coast defence from 70m out before sending winger Jason Saab over.

Saab’s second try five minutes into the second half put an end to any thought of a Titans comeback.

Provided he stays clear of injury — and Manly Corso after 9pm — Trbojevic’s stunning return has given Manly fans genuine belief their side can mount a top eight challenge after a disastrous 0-4 start to the season.

“It was good to be back playing some footy. The body is really good,” he said.

“I’ve missed a lot (of football) so you enjoy these moments.”

Coach Des Hasler added: “It was good to have his knowledge and presence.

“He is a super player. He does it very well – not only in attack but his work in defence.

“It’s a good start.”

TURBO-CHARGED BLUES

Trbojevic’s successful return was not only good news for Manly coach Des Hasler.

NSW boss Brad Fittler has Turbo pencilled in for Origin I — mostly likely on the wing — and was an interested observer back in Sydney.

He would have switched the TV off a happy man after witnessing the five-star comeback.

Turbo was a key figure in the Blues’ 2019 series win but missed all three matches last year as Queensland reclaimed the Origin crown.

GOLD TURNS TO DUST

The Titans looked as though they’d gone on one of Mudgee’s famous wine tours before the game, starting lethargically and not getting a whole lot better as the game rolled on.

They were mere extras in the Tom Trbojevic Show.

David Fifita — such a menacing force just a week ago in a three-try performance against Newcastle — hardly landed a blow.

It brought to an end the Gold Coast’s recent hold on Manly, which had produced five wins from their last seven encounters.

“We were blown off the park. We’ve got to accept it and learn from it,” Titans coach Justin Holbrook said.

“They probably didn’t need him (Trbojevic) given how poorly we played.

“We got a real good rugby league lesson.”