Early Mail NRL round 16: Manly Sea Eagles dig deep into roster
In a boon for NRL SuperCoaches, multiple big-name stars are set to return to the field in round 16, while Manly will be without close to 50 per cent of their salary cap. The latest team news.
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Manly are facing an unprecedented strain on their playing resources as they prepare to face South Sydney with more than 50 per cent of their salary cap on the sidelines through a combination of injury, suspension and State of Origin commitments.
The Sea Eagles, having produced one of their most inspiring performances of recent times against St George Illawarra at the weekend, have been decimated in the lead-up to Saturday night’s game against the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium.
Coach Anthony Seibold is expected to call on the like of Asitasi James, Brad Parker and Ben Condon — and could hand a first grade debut to promising lock Caleb Navale — as he dives deep into the club’s playing stocks to name a squad.
Navale has been a standout in the NSW Cup with Blacktown, having won the club’s best and fairest in Jersey Flegg and made his Test debut last year for Fiji.
Seibold has been forced to test his reserves after the Sea Eagles suffered a slew of injuries in their win over the Dragons.
SCROLL DOWN FOR SUPERCOACH EXPERT TIM WILLIAMS’ R16 MAIL
Reuben Garrick (head knock), Taniela Paseka (thumb) and Toafofoa Sipley (knee) left the field during the game as they joined an injury list that already included Tom Trbojevic (hamstring), Aaron Woods (calf), Matt Lodge (bicep), Jake Arthur (foot) and Lachie Croker (head and neck).
Manly are also without Josh Aloiai through suspension and will be forced to make do without their Origin stars — Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau’atu — this weekend.
A conservative estimate suggests the Sea Eagles will have more than $6 million worth of talent on the sidelines when they run out against the Rabbitohs on Saturday night.
The good news is that the club has been able to unearth some talent in recent weeks given their mounting injury toll, the most notable being young fullback Lehi Hopoate.
The latest member of the Hopoate clan to grace the NRL has taken to first grade like a duck to water and after three games, there are some suggesting that Manly would be better served bringing Tom Trbojevic back into the team at centre when he is deemed fit enough for his return.
Tom Trbojevic has been troubled by a series of hamstring problems in recent years and should Seibold opt to take the conservative approach to his comeback, he will do with the comfort of knowing that Hopoate can handle whatever is thrown at him.
Hopoate ran for 186 metres, had six tackle busts and two line breaks in the club’s win over the Dragons on Sunday. Tom Trbojevic is expected to return against North Queensland in round 18, giving Seibold a few more weeks to decide how to handle his latest comeback.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy, on the other hand, will be forced to make a call on Ryan Papenhuyzen’s comeback on Tuesday as the Storm fullback prepares to make his return from a broken leg.
In his absence Sua Fa’alogo has been in brilliant form, topped off by his two-try effort against the Warriors at the weekend. Papenhuyzen spent some time at five-eighth in the pre-season as the club experimented with using Papenhuyzen and Fa’alogo in their starting side.
DOLPHINS v STORM
Friday, 8pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Dolphins: Jesse Bromwich is expected to return from a rib injury at prop.
Trai Fuller will play fullback with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on Origin duties.
Storm: Reimis Smith is expected to return from a concussion at centre, while Will Warbrick will continue his push to return from a groin injury.
Ryan Papenhuyzen is a strong chance to return from an ankle injury at fullback, if cleared he’d push Sua Fa’alogo to the wing with Xavier Coates in Qld camp.
Bronson Garlick is likely to play hooker with Harry Grant on Origin duty.
TITANS v WARRIORS
Saturday, 3pm, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans: David Fifita is pushing to return from injury in the back row, pushing Klese Haas to lock and Erin Clark to the bench.
Warriors: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is facing a one to two week suspension.
Rocco Berry (shoulder) and Adam Pompey (leg) are both in doubt to face the Titans.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns from injury at centre.
ROOSTERS v BULLDOGS
Saturday, 5:30pm, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Roosters: Michael Jennings will miss out with a hamstring injury.
Dominic Young is a chance to return from a hamstring injury on the wing, if cleared he’d push Fetalaiga Pauga to centre.
With Connor Watson on NSW duty, either Sandon Smith or Brandon Smith if recalled would start at hooker.
Bulldogs: Jacob Preston will be unavailable due to a foot injury, with Viliame Kikau a chance to return from a finger injury in his place.
Josh Curran and Bailey Hayward must pass concussion protocols to take their place in the team but are expected to face the Roosters.
With Stephen Crichton unavailable due to NSW commitments, Jeral Skelton or Hayze Perham will likely play centre.
RABBITOHS v SEA EAGLES
Saturday, 7:35pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Rabbitohs: Jai Arrow is in doubt with a rib injury, while Jye Gray is pushing to return from injury to replace the Origin-bound Latrell Mitchell at fullback.
Sea Eagles: Reuben Garrick will be unavailable having suffered a head knock in the win over the Dragons, with Jaxson Paulo likely to replace him at centre.
If Jake Arthur isn’t cleared to return from a foot injury, Jamie Humphreys will likely come into the halves to replace the Qld-bound Daly Cherry-Evans.
Taniela Paseka (thumb) and Toa Sipley (knee) are in doubt for the clash with South Sydney.
Coach Anthony Seibold is expected to call on Asitasi James, Brad Parker and Ben Condon - could blood lock Caleb Navale.
TIGERS v RAIDERS
Sunday, 4:05pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Tigers: Lachlan Galvin is expected to return from a hand injury in the halves, pushing Api Koroisau back to hooker.
Alex Twal is expected to return from a head knock.
Alex Lobb and Solomon Alaimalo are also chances to return from injury in the backline.
Adam Doueihi made a successful return from injury in NSW Cup and will push for a return to the top grade.
Raiders: Tom Starling will be unavailable for the Raiders after suffering a head knock in the loss to the Cowboys.
Corey Horsburgh starred on return from a groin injury and will likely return to the top grade this week off the bench.
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Originally published as Early Mail NRL round 16: Manly Sea Eagles dig deep into roster
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