Tom Trbojevic says skipping State of Origin is simply not an option, admitting calls for him to retire from representative football hurt a little last year.
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Trbojevic is all but certain to be one of the first picked in NSW's backline next month, with centre remaining his most likely starting spot under Michael Maguire.
But after having his season ended by a torn pectoral muscle suffered in Game II last year, there were calls for the 2021 Dally M Medallist to retire from the arena to protect his body.
The influential Manly fullback has played through this season unscathed, but has only managed more than 15 NRL games in two of the last five seasons.
Latrell Mitchell is reportedly considering skipping Origin this year to prioritise South Sydney after their horror start to the year.
But Trbojevic says that was never something he considered.
"Yes, I definitely want to play. I'm very passionate about NSW," Trbojevic said.
"It hasn't really been a thought of mine (to skip it). I want to be playing for NSW, it's one of our biggest arenas and one of the biggest honours in the game."
Trbojevic said his main frustration in 2023 was his own injury, but did hear the suggestions he shouldn't return to the Origin scene.
"Did it hurt me? A little bit," he added.
"But it was more the fact that I hurt myself two minutes into a game, we lost the series and I didn't play for the rest of the year.
"When it all happened last year when I was injured I can understand the talk coming out that I shouldn't play.
"But when it comes around you want to be playing the biggest games. So I definitely want to be out there."
The 27-year-old was also confident the prospect of Mitchell sitting out the series would not prompt other clubs and players to follow suit.
As things stand, players are contractually obliged to make themselves available for selection and clubs must release them to play if fit.
Some exemptions can be applied, based on medical grounds or if a veteran player has retired from representative football.
Mitchell would not fit either of those categories if he attempted to make himself unavailable, and could face opposition from the NRL.
NRL bosses don't believe it would ever become a league-wide issue, given the $30,000 match payments and players wanting to feature.
But they also know the importance of having their stars available, given the money Origin rakes in through broadcast numbers.
Regardless, Trbojevic did not see it as a bigger issue going forward.
"It's not like pressure from clubs or anything (to sit out)," Trbojevic said.
"Seibs (Manly coach Anthony Seibold) isn't coming to me and asking me not to play and I'm sure that's not the case with Latrell."
Australian Associated Press
