MANLY star Tom Trbojevic was a must-pick in many people’s NSW team but coach Brad Fittler has revealed that the fullback has one habit that drives him crazy.

Trbojevic is the prototype of the modern No.1, often stepping into the line to create overlaps before creating for his outside men by throwing short and long passes.

It’s a part of the 21-year-old’s game that is vital to the Sea Eagles’ attack, creating plenty of points for the struggling side but there are still times when he gets it badly wrong.

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When he gets his timing off he has a habit of getting pinged for forward passes and it’s one aspect of his game new Blues coach Fittler just can’t cop.

“I sat down with them (Trbojevic brothers Jake and Tom) a couple of weeks ago and I sort of assured them, I said ‘look, I want you in the team’,” Fittler told Triple M’s The Grill Team.

“I was sitting there talking to [Tom] and I said ‘mate, the one thing I can’t cop in your game is how many forward passes you throw, what’s with it?’.

“It’s a real irk of mine, how many forward passes you throw. I reckon I went through my career and didn’t throw one.”

Tom Trbojevic greets some children at a Blues function. Source: AAP

It’s a lesson that you would expect a young player on the cusp of his first Origin call up to take on board, but infuriatingly for Fittler the message didn’t seem to sink in.

“So anyway, they played that week and he threw two (forward passes)! I was just ready to punch him in the head.”

Which could be the reason Fittler’s sticking him out on the wing where his passing game will be secondary to tough carries early in the set and finishing backline plays.