The reason behind Tom Trbojevic’s curious try celebration at the Gold Coast on Saturday night can be revealed – and it’s one of the most heartwarming stories of 2024.
Three weeks ago, Beau Hewitt, a youngster from the Turbo brothers’ junior club, Mona Vale Raiders, was diagnosed with stage four cancer in a devastating blow.
The brothers – Tom, Jake and Ben – visited the youngster at Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick – a good hour’s drive from their northern beaches homes – on their day off during the week.
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Tom promised to score a try for the teenager – and then do the ‘That’s Gold’ thumbs-up salute for him.
Turbo scored against the Titans – and was true to his word, celebrating for the cameras.
It was a lovely touch – and most appreciated by the boy and his family.
“We have been through hell the past three weeks but I can’t describe what the Turbo boys’ gesture has done for Beau,” his dad Scott told Wide World of Sports.
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“To be told out of the blue by a doctor ‘Sorry mate, your son’s got cancer’… it rocked us.
“It’s been like a nightmare but then Tom, Ben and Jake came to see him and brought him a bunch of Manly gear.
“That just sent Beau through the ceiling.
“Then when Tom scored the try and gave the sign, Beau burst into tears… we all did.
“They are sensational guys and I can’t thank them enough.”
The family has set up a GoFundMe page for Beau.
POCKET ROCKET UP WAYNE’S SLEEVE
Is Jeremy Marshall-King the most underrated player in the NRL?
The younger brother of Benji Marshall has been an outstanding player for the Dolphins over the past two seasons yet rarely gets the plaudits.
He gave one of the best performances by a hooker all season in the 44-16 humiliation of the Eels in Darwin, carving up the defence throughout the second half.
Unlike many modern-day hookers, Marshall-King is a genuine dummy-half, a player who knows when to run and when to pass and his teammates are the beneficiaries of his good work.
Despite missing four of their best players, the Dolphins produced a stunning performance to totally outclass and out-enthuse the Eels.
SIGNING OF THE YEAR CONTENDER
The Bulldogs took a gamble signing Bronson Xerri after his long four-year drugs ban – but it looks like coming up trumps.
In only his third game back in the big league, Xerri scored his first try since the 2019 finals and looked very sharp as the Bulldogs dismantled the Knights.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo kept Xerri out of the top grade in the opening three weeks of the season to allow him to work on his timing and defence.
But the speedy centre is ready now.
Big and strong with plenty of pace, Xerri may well prove the buy of the year as he regains his match fitness and confidence.
O’BRIEN’S GAMBLE COSTS PONGA ORIGIN JERSEY
The battle for the Queensland State of Origin fullback spot is as good as over, with Reece Walsh powering ahead of Kalyn Ponga to grab the jersey.
While Walsh is in sensational form, scoring 10 tries in his past 11 games, Ponga is battling a hip flexor injury and should never have played against the Bulldogs on Sunday.
Knights coach Adam O’Brien gambled on Ponga in a desperate move – and lost.
To make matters worse, playing his marquee man when he was clearly carrying a hip injury completely backfired with Ponga suffering a new injury to his foot.
Walsh, meanwhile, destroyed the Raiders with his running from the back and on form, is the most dangerous player in the league.
PANTHERS FIND A DIAMOND
The Panthers have come up with a handy addition to their squad in former Bulldogs centre Paul Alamoti.
Still only 20, the strongly built centre handed in an impressive debut for the premiers in the win over the Tigers in Bathurst.
Alamoti ran for over 130 metres and scored a bruising solo try that proved the turning point of a tough game.
The Tigers were right in the hunt until Alamoti charged over, breaking the underdogs’ spirit.
Alamoti won’t be a starter when the Panthers are at full strength but is a fine pick-up who will play his fair share of games in the months ahead.
DRAGONS’ UNSUNG HERO IN LOMAX RAMPAGE
Zac Lomax has been getting all the raps for his performance at right centre against the Warriors – and rightly so – he was superb with a try and a towering two-point field goal.
But fellow centre Mosese Suli also delighted the Dragons’ coaching staff with his best performance of the year.
A big man with pace, Suli is a real handful when given the sort of time and space he saw against the woeful Warriors.
He scored his team’s first try after they fell behind early, ran for 166 metres and had three tackle breaks.
With Lomax on the move to Parramatta next year and Jack Bird a utility player, Suli may well start 2025 as the Dragons’ number-one choice centre.
ARTHUR SET TO SWING THE AXE
After admitting his team ‘gave up’ in Friday night’s humiliating 44-16 loss to an injury-ravaged Dolphins team, Eels coach Brad Arthur must now make changes.
The Eels allowed a patched-up Dolphins side to score the biggest win in their short history, and clearly need a shake-up.
The team missed 31 tackles and was clueless in attack.
After scoring the opening two tries of the game and leading at halftime, the Eels capitulated in the Darwin heat, letting in seven straight second-half tries in quick time.
It was totally unacceptable – and the team will want to respond next weekend.
ONE PLAYER DESPERATE ROOSTERS NEED BACK
The Roosters desperately need the creativity of Sam Walker back in the halves next week.
Connor Watson is a good individual player but lacks the creativity and flair of Walker, who has missed the past two games with concussion.
The Roosters made just one line break in the 18-12 loss to the Storm on Thursday night – and couldn’t post a point when Melbourne were a man down with Cam Munster in the bin.
Walker was held back from the game as a precautionary move after suffering a head injury in round five.
It’s a safe bet he’ll be rushed back into the team next weekend after the Roosters’ flat performance with the ball against the Storm.