MANLY coach Des Hasler on Tuesday announced both Kieran Foran and Trent Hodkinson will receive a half each to prove themselves against Cronulla at Toyota Park.

The Manly Daily understands Foran could have the inside running for the season opener against the Wests Tigers at the Sydney Football Stadium on March 15.

There is also a common belief among the Sea Eagles that Hodkinson will eventually become Manly’s long-term half, with Foran’s versatility giving coach Hasler plenty of options with the New Zealand Test back.

Hasler named an extended squad of 28, with only Anthony Watmough and George Rose unavailable. Giant utility Tony Williams will also trial in the centres after a sound off-season.

Speedy young back Dean Whare will make his debut for the maroon and whites, joining the club from the Dragons.

But the most intriguing selection headache for Hasler is settling on a replacement for the departed Matt Orford.

The coach said the clash with the Sharks will not settle that debate, but the trial will give both youngsters the chance to impress.

“I’m very happy with where they are at,” Hasler said on Tuesday.

“We’ve seen enough of how they are going at training, we are just trying to work on contact and parts of their game, putting into practise what we’ve trained.

“This game is just to get everyone out there and get some contact in and give everyone a chance. I think the No. 7 has a lot of responsibility, no matter who plays there.”

Hasler said both Foran and Hodkinson are ready to pitch their cases having spent the pre-season working with the likes of Matt Orford and Andrew Johns.

“They have had good support I know with ‘Ox’ working a lot with them before he left,” Hasler said.

“They have also had support from people like ‘Joey’ Johns and the senior group.”

Young Will Hopoate is also within the squad of 28, getting his first chance in NRL company.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

Jatz Crackers said the following on Fri Feb 12 22:42 2010

Pedantic alright. It matters not though because it was a very short time between the debut & the signing. The point I was trying to make was simply that Parramatta played him on the wing in the NRL and so did we. And our coaching people etc only ever talked about him in that position or as a potential backrower impact player off the bench. So far he has disappointed for us to the point one would have to wonder how he could cope in the centres (despite the U20s history......U20s is not the NRL) given his obvious difficulties on the wing. I do hope it was his hammy that held him back last year, as I would love it if he turned out to be a revelation in the centres.

DSM5 said the following on Thu Feb 11 22:52 2010

Bit pedantic boys.� He's such a huge guy, i just trust that Des can get him going to crash through the opposition like he should.� I wouldn't like to mark him.

Kiwi Eagle said the following on Thu Feb 11 21:08 2010

Yes he did, but that doesn't change the fact that when we signed him, he hadn't made his NRL debut, so when we bought him he was playing centres in the 20s, not wing as you stated

Join the Discussion