NRL Late Mail Round 23: Reuben Garrick ruled out for season with shoulder injury

Manly’s season has gone from bad to worse, and there’s bad news too for their opponents. Full predicted team changes here.

Sea Eagles fullback Reuben Garrick has been ruled out for the season – the 13th Manly player unavailable for this weekend.

The missing players take up around $4m in Manly’s salary cap.

Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler will be forced to field a patchwork side for Saturday afternoon’s game against Cronulla at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale.

Senior club officials cannot recall a more savage injury list in recent years.

Garrick has a shoulder injury with Manly’s high performance unit ruling him out for the final three games of this season.

It continues a wretched season for Manly, who will miss the finals after a top four finish last season.

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Reuben Garrick is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Picture: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

Other Manly players currently missing include Tom Trbojevic (shoulder), Jake Trbojevic (broken hand), Jason Saab (ACL), Sean Keppie (neck), Karl Lawton (ACL) and Taniela Paseka (MCL).

With Garrick unavailable, Hasler is expected to shift young speedster Tolu Koula to fullback for the Sharks match.

Hasler is still mulling over several other position possibilities.

TAB bookies have Cronulla as $1.20 favourites with Manly $4.50 outsiders.

Manly has lost four successive games to crash out of finals contention. The Sea Eagles continue to be haunted by the pride jumper fiasco.

SHARKS LOSE FULLBACK

The Sharks have lost rookie fullback Kade Dykes for their clash with Manly to a calf complaint.

It’s understood Dykes suffered a corked calf in the Sharks win over the Wests Tigers last weekend.

Lachie Miller will play fullback against Manly with Matt Ikuvalu promoted onto the wing.

BULLDOGS ADD BARK WITH DOUBLE FORWARD BOOST

Luke Thompson will play barring a last minute mishap for the Bulldogs international prop.

Thompson has been struggling with a severe concussion and it looked like his season would end prematurely. He has not played since round 12 but is now set to play for the Bulldogs after being named on an extended interchange bench.

Luke Thompson is set to return for the Bulldogs. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Thompson’s last game was in round 12.

In a double boost of forward strike, the Dogs are also expected to welcome back enforcer Tevita Pangai Jr.

Both forwards were named on Canterbury’s extended reserves list when the squad was announced on Tuesday.

MOSES RETURN FAR FROM CERTAIN

Parramatta star Mitchell Moses’ early return from injury could be put on ice after the halfback revealed he is a “day-by-day” proposition to take the field against Canterbury.

Coach Brad Arthur named Moses on Tuesday after initial fears a finger injury in round 20 would rule the playmaker out for the rest of the regular season.

Earlier in the week, Arthur rated Moses ‘a good chance’ of returning against the Bulldogs.

But the playmaker told The Daily Telegraph he is no certainty for the Eels this week, where a win against Canterbury on Saturday is crucial to helping Arthur’s side cement a finals berth.

“I’m not too sure if I’ll play,” Moses revealed.

“We’ll just have to take it day by day at the moment.”

Mitchell Moses is fighting a finger injury. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Moses needed three screws to repair a fracture to the middle finger of his left hand and will take a cautious approach to his comeback in a bid to avoid re-injury ahead of the finals series.

“I had three screws put in there, there is still pain but it’s OK,” Moses said.

“It’s coming along all right at this stage and it feels good. It’s just annoying that a finger injury could put you out for a couple of weeks.

“But we don’t want to rush it.”

Rising halfback Jake Arthur was called into the halves alongside Dylan Brown in the absence of Moses over the past two weeks. Arthur was named in the extended side and is likely to line-up in the halves again if Moses does not get the all-clear in Friday’s captain’s run.

EELS v BULLDOGS

Saturday, 3pm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Viliami Penisini, 4. Tom Opacic, 5. Waqa Blake, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Isaiah Papali’i, 13. Ryan Matterson

Bench: 14. Ofahiki Ogden, 15. Bryce Cartwright, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Marata Niukore

Reserves: 19. Bailey Simonsson, 20. Jakob Arthur

Players cut: 18. Makahesi Makatoa, 21. Sean Russell, 22. Elie El Zakhem

Late Mail: Mitchell Moses was named to return from injury, but he remains in major doubt to face the Bulldogs. If ruled out, Jacob Arthur would come into the halves. Bailey Simonsson is a chance to return from injury on the wing, which would push Waqa Blake to centre and force Tom Opacic out of the side.

Bulldogs: 1. Jake Averillo, 2. Jacob Kiraz, 3. Aaron Schoupp, 4. Braidon Burns, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Max King, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Harrison Edwards, 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 13. Josh Jackson

Bench: 14. Zach Dockar-Clay, 15. Joe Stimson, 22. Luke Thompson, 23. Tevita Pangai Junior

Reserves: 17. Chris Patolo, 19. Declan Casey

Players cut: 16. Jackson Topine, 20. Bailey Biondi-Odo, 21. Brandon Wakeham

Late Mail: Tevita Pangai Jnr and Luke Thompson will both return for the Bulldogs this week.

They’re likely to play off the bench, with Thompson playing his first game since Round 12.

Chris Patolo and Jackson Topine make way for the return of the power forwards.

SEA EAGLES v SHARKS

Saturday, 5.30pm, 4 Pines Park, Sydney

Sea Eagles: 2. Tolutau Koula, 5. Christian Tuipulotu, 3. Brad Parker, 4. Morgan Harper, 23 Alfred Smalley, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Josh Aloiai, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 13. Dylan Walker

Bench: 14. Ben Trbojevic, 15. Josh Schuster, 17. Toafofoa Sipley, 18. Kurt De Luis

Reserves: 19. Kaeo Weekes, 21. James Roumanos

Players cut: 1. Reuben Garrick, 12. Andrew Davey, 20. Zac Fulton, 22. Jacob Sykes

Late Mail: Reuben Garrick is out for the remainder of the season. This will see either Kaeo Weekes or Tolutau Koula start at fullback. Daly Cherry-Evans will take over the goal-kicking duties from Garrick.

Sharks: 2. Lachlan Miller, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Connor Tracey, 20. Matt Ikuvalu, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Royce Hunt, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Dale Finucane

Bench: 15. Cameron McInnes, 16. Aiden Tolman, 17. Andrew Fifita, 18. Braydon Trindall

Reserves: 19. Jesse Colquhoun, 22. Luke Metcalf

Players cut: 1. Kade Dykes, 14. Teig Wilton, 21. Kayal Iro

Late Mail: Kade Dykes is out. Lachlan Miller will shift to fullback and Matt Ikuvalu moves to the wing. Braydon Trindall will play off the bench as halves cover for the returning Matt Moylan. Returning from a concussion enforced break, Connor Tracey can also deputise in the halves should Moylan have any lingering issues resurface throughout the game.

Matt Moylan is back to partner Nicho Hynes in the halves for Cronulla. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

ROOSTERS v TIGERS

Saturday, 7.35pm, SCG, Sydney

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 4. Joseph Manu, 20. Oliver Gildart, 5. Joseph Suaalii, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Matthew Lodge, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Nat Butcher, 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Connor Watson, 15. Egan Butcher, 16. Drew Hutchison, 17. Terrell May

Reserves: 18. Kevin Naiqama, 19. Fletcher Baker,

Players cut: 3. Paul Momirovski, 21. Ben Thomas, 22. Siua Wong

Late Mail: Oliver Gildart will make his club debut, replacing Paul Momirovski in the centres alongside Joey Manu.

Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie, 2. Brent Naden, 3. Starford To’a, 4. Asu Kepaoa, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Adam Doueihi, 7. Jock Madden, 8. James Tamou, 9. Fa’amanu Brown, 10. Zane Musgrove, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Kelma Tuilagi, 13. Joe Ofahengaue

Bench: 14. Fonua Pole, 15. Austin Dias, 16. Thomas Freebairn, 17. Alex Seyfarth

Reserves: 18. Jake Simpkin, 21. Junior Pauga

Players cut: 19. Kitione Kautoga, 20. Brandon Tumeth, 22. Tyrone Peachey

Late Mail: No changes expected for the Tigers.

DRAGONS v TITANS

Sunday, 2pm, WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Dragons: 1. Cody Ramsey, 2. Mathew Feagai, 3. Moses Mbye, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Tautau Moga, 6. Talatau Amone, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Jack De Belin, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Blake Lawrie, 11. Josh McGuire, 12. Jaydn Su’A, 13. Jack Bird

Bench: 14. Tyrell Fuimaono, 15. Aaron Woods, 16. Michael Molo, 17. Billy Burns

Reserves: 18. Jaiyden Hunt, 19. Jayden Sullivan, 20. Francis Molo, 21. Tyrell Sloan, 22. Jackson Ford

Players cut: To come...

Late Mail: No major changes expected at the Dragons, although coach Anthony Griffin may opt to play Jack Bird in more of an edge role, with Josh McGuire playing through the middle.

Titans: 1. Jayden Campbell, 2. Jojo Fifita, 3. Phillip Sami, 4. Brian Kelly, 5. Patrick Herbert, 6. AJ Brimson, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. Jaimin Jolliffe, 9. Erin Clark, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. David Fifita, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Isaac Liu

Bench: 14. Greg Marzhew, 15. Herman Ese’ese, 16. Moeaki Fotuaika, 17. Sam McIntyre

Reserves: 18. Corey Thompson, 19. Jarrod Wallace, 20. Toby Sexton, 21. Paul Turner, 22. Klese Haas

Players cut: To come...

Late Mail: No changes expected at the Titans following their big win over Manly. Jarrod Wallace may force his way into the side come game day.

Joseph Tapine is back for the Raiders after missing last week. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

KNIGHTS v RAIDERS

Sunday, 4.05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights: 1. Tex Hoy, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Krystian Mapapalangi, 5. Dom Young, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Adam Clune, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Brodie Jones, 13. Jacob Saifiti

Bench: 14. Phoenix Crossland, 15. Pasami Saulo, 16. Simi Sasagi, 17. Mat Croker

Reserves: 18. Sauaso Sue, 19. Chris Randall, 20. Jack Johns, 21. Oryn Keeley, 22. Hymel Hunt

Players cut: To come...

Late Mail: No major changes expected at the Knights.

Raiders: 1. Xavier Savage, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matthew Timoko, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Josh Papali’i, 9. Zac Woolford, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Adam Elliott

Bench: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Emre Guller, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Corey Harawira-Naera

Reserves: 18. Albert Hopoate, 19. Ata Mariota, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. Ryan Sutton, 22. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Players cut: To come...

Late Mail: Joe Tapine remains in doubt with a rib cartilage injury. He’ll be monitored throughout the week and must get through Saturday’s captain’s run to take his place in the front-row.

Originally published as NRL Late Mail Round 23: Reuben Garrick ruled out for season with shoulder injury