Tom Trbojevic suffered a shoulder injury as the superstar fullback’s long-awaited return turned into a nightmare as Manly were soundly beaten 42-24 by Gold Coast.

In his first game back on his troublesome hamstring in almost three months, Trbojevic was hurt trying to make a last-line-of-defence tackle on AJ Brimson.

Brimson crossed, and Trbojevic was left with his right arm dangling by his side before leaving the field and going straight up the tunnel nine minutes later.

Manly officials were initially hopeful the injury was only a stinger, but it comes at the worst possible time for Trbojevic.

Including Saturday’s loss, he had just two games to impress NSW coach Brad Fittler before the end-of-season State of Origin series.

He looked particularly rusty at the back at Lottoland in both attack and defence, with two of his four errors coming after the shoulder blow.

His presence in attack helped Manly score one try as he drew in two defenders off the ball, while he also helped chase downTitans flyer Treymain Spry Sprei to deny him a 90-metre intercept try,

But on other occasions his lay off showed, failing to shadow a grubber dead to allow Kevin Proctor to score and fumbling a poor Tevita Funa pass in the lead up to another Titans try.

Regardless, Manly were completely outplayed by a Gold Coast side who put on their equal-highest score in their 14-year history.

The Titans have now won four straight for the first time since 2014, and are ninth on the ladder after being tipped by most to collect the wooden spoon.

Brimson bagged a double, including an 80-metre effort that left referee Matt Noyen with an injured hamstring after Young Tonumaipea found his fullback from a 20-metre tap.

Tonumaipea also claimed a brace, making the most of a 60-metre intercept from Corey Thompson for his second.

Thompson finished the game off with a hamstring injury after earlier scoring one of his own, while Sam Stone and Spry scored the Titans’ others.

The result means Manly will finish the year with just one win from seven games at Brookvale, making for their worst winning percentage at the ground in history.