Manly are set to name a 20-man squad for Thursday’s game after struggling to fill out the team list on Tuesday afternoon, with several players in line for either club or NRL debuts.
Although there had been conjecture earlier in the day that one, or multiple, or the seven boycotting players had changed their mind – this is not the case.
The ‘Manly Seven’ of Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolutau Koula and Toafofoa Sipley will all miss the clash, with several new faces in the frame.
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Twenty-eight-year-old Fijian international Pio Seci has been named on one wing, with Alfred Smalley called up from the Blacktown Workers NSW Cup team on the other.
In one slice of good news, Jake Trbojevic returns from his positive COVID-19 test last week to resume his place in the starting team.
Ethan Bullemor returns to first grade after being out of favour for most of the year, while Kurt De Luis is also set to start in the front row.
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James Segeyaro is set for a return to NRL action for the first time since 2019, named on the bench alongside Sean Keppie, Martin Taupau and Morgan Boyle.
Zac Fulton, the grandson of the legendary Bob Fulton, has been named 18th man.
Captain Daly Cherry-Evans said that he was looking forward to the challenge.
“Myself as the captain, I see an opportunity in all this to bring a group together and try to do something special on Thursday night,” he said.
“I’m trying to encourage people to have an open mind about what’s happening at the moment.
Expected team: Reuben Garrick, Pio Seci, Morgan Harper, Dylan Walker, Alfred Smalley, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Taniela Paseka, Lachlan Croker, Kurt De Luis, Ethan Bullemor, Andrew Davey, Jake Trbojevic
Bench: James Segeyaro, Sean Keppie, Martin Taupau, Morgan Boyle
18th man: Zac Fulton
Reserves: Kaeo Weekes, James Roumanos
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