Manly have been dealt a bitter blow after Tom Trbojevic's hamstrings let go again and ruled him out of the first three weeks of the NRL season.
Trbojevic went down at training on Monday morning, less than three weeks out from his comeback match after injuries ruined his 2020 season.
One of the game's best players when fit, Trbojevic has now suffered four hamstring injuries in the past two years.
The latest, the first on his right leg, is not as serious as the previous two which ruined both 2019 and 2020 for him, but is arguably more concerning given his history.
Trbojevic went down in a trial against Cronulla almost exactly two years ago. He returned early in the season but was injured again two games later.
He was then the form fullback at the start of last season, before his hamstring again let him down at Campbelltown and he missed three months.
"I'm devastated by what's happened. I will be working hard with the rehab team to get the hamstring right,'" Trbojevic said.
Manly have spent considered time in the past year sending the 24-year-old to hamstring specialists, and described Monday injury as s being from an "innocuous accident".
The Sea Eagles have also let go their main back-up fullback option in Brendan Elliot and have a tough start to the season.
Trbojevic is the only fullback listed in their squad, although Tevita Funa and Reuben Garrick have spent limited time there in the past.
The NSW State of Origin star will miss games against the Sydney Roosters, South Sydney and St.George Illawarra.