Manly name Tony Williams in finals squad to face Cronulla
The NRL has given the green light to former NRL star Tony T-Rex’ Williams making a stunning return to first grade for the finals with the Manly Sea Eagles.
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Manly coach Des Hasler is poised to produce a Hail Mary for the ages by bringing back Tony “T-Rex” Williams from extinction.
In a stunning SOS call from Hasler which gives an insight into the club’s injury crisis, Williams will be asked to go from park football to an elimination semi-final against Cronulla on Saturday night at Lottoland.
Adding further intrigue to a story that could catapult Williams into finals folklore is that the former Test and NSW Origin forward will be playing for match payments against the Sharks just three years after commanding a contract at Canterbury worth $600,000 a season.
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The return of Williams will stun Manly fans, who are hoping for one of the club’s greatest upset victories after Hasler named a virtually unknown forward pack to tackle the Sharks.
Already without champion fullback Tom Trbojevic, Hasler has dealt with the loss of forwards Joel Thompson (arm), Curtis Sironen (foot), Morgan Boyle (shoulder), Taniela Paseka (knee) and the suspension of Martin Taupau by selecting little-known Sean Keppie (one NRL game) to start at prop.
Hasler has also selected 20-year-old Blacktown Workers prop Haumole Olakau’atu (NRL debut), while prop Toafofoa Sipley will return from a knee injury for the first time since round nine and edge forward Jack Gosiewski (knee) has been named after missing last week’s loss to the Eels.
However, it’s the comeback of Williams that few fans would have predicted.
After providing a detailed account of their injury crisis to the NRL on Tuesday, Manly were successful in receiving salary cap dispensation to include Williams from outside their top 30 contracted players.
The one-time wrecking ball has played just six NRL games in three years, his most recent 16 months ago for Parramatta.
Williams, 30, returned to his junior club the Eels last year after previous stints with Cronulla (one game in 2017), Canterbury (2013-16) and Manly (2009-12), with whom he won a premiership in 2011.
Unable to showcase his power and destruction following a second ACL knee reconstruction while at the Sharks, Williams managed just five NRL appearances under Eels coach Brad Arthur.
Parramatta then tore-up his one-year contract last September when he tested positive to illicit drugs for a second time.
After serving an NRL-imposed 12-game ban, Williams received a lifeline from Sea Eagles feeder club the Blacktown Workers this year.
He has been a valuable addition in 10 matches, scoring two tries and averaging 121m per game.
In an interview with Big League only last month, Williams spoke of his desire to keep alive his NRL career under Hasler.
“It’s hard to talk to him because he’s too busy and he’s got other stuff to do,’’ Williams said.
“We’ll probably sit down and have a chat soon. I’ve known him all my career so we’re comfortable to have a chat, but there’s been nothing as of yet.
“I’m just happy to play footy again because it’s been a long time. I think it was 14 months before I played my first game (for Blacktown).
“I’m just happy to be playing again because that’s what I grew up playing and I love, so hopefully I can keep playing longer.
“I’ve only played six first-grade games in the past two-and-a-half years so my body is good.
“I had the two ACLs, but in regards to my body, I haven’t been getting battered and bruised.
“I look it as a positive, I feel good, but I need a few more games to show people that I’m still good.”
Originally published as Manly name Tony Williams in finals squad to face Cronulla