Manly is poised to name chief attacking weapon Tom Trbojevic for the crucial clash against Penrith.
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Manly facing prop crisis
Penrith’s next opponents have problems of their own, namely a mounting injury toll that has added gravitas to Manly coach Anthony Seibold’s claims that a gruelling fixture list has pushed his players to their physical limits.
The Sea Eagles, who were flying high in second spot on the points table after winning three of their first four games, have nosedived to 12th after consecutive losses against Melbourne (48-24), Cronulla (24-18) and St George Illawarra (20-18).
The mini-slump has coincided with Manly having to play five games in 25 days - the last three of which came in an 11-day block that included travelling to and from Perth.
That prompted Seibold to speak out after Thursday’s loss to the Dragons at Brookvale.
The coach now faces the challenge of selecting a patched-up team for Saturday’s clash at Commbank Stadium with the revitalised four-time champions.
In particular, the Sea Eagles are pondering what would appear to be an engine-room crisis.
Towering
Taniela Paseka is unlikely to play again this season after rupturing his Achilles playing against Canberra last month.
Toafofoa Sipley was referred straight to the judiciary for a hip-drop tackle against the Dragons and is facing a likely long-term suspension.
Jake Trbojevic suffered a grade-one concussion on Thursday and will miss the clash with Penrith.
In addition, Nathan Brown (shoulder) and Ethan Bullemore (knee) were both injured against the Dragons and are racing the clock to prove their fitness.
“They’ll need to be monitored and won’t train, if available, until the back end of the week,” Seibold said of Brown and Bullemore.
“They both couldn’t finish Thursday’s game so are in doubt.”
Meanwhile, veteran Matt Lodge, who is on a train-and-trial contract that allows him to play in the NRL in round 10, suffered a toe injury recently that has hindered his preparations.
Winger Tommy Talau is also in doubt this week with a lower-leg problem.
Desperately needing some reinforcements to bolster his pack, Seibold is hoping Josh Ailoai, who has missed two of the past three games with a shoulder injury, will be available this week, while Corey Waddell will return from suspension.
He is also optimistic that talismanic
Tom Trbojevic is “a good chance” to return from a knee injury that has sidelined him for three games.
Manly have lost all three of those games, adding to their cursed record minus “Tommy Turbo”. Of the 50 games he has missed since 2021, they have won only 16.
Seibold admitted the Sea Eagles are “a bit beaten up at the minute” and told this masthead that the playing schedule had hindered Manly’s selection options.
“The short turnaround after Perth prevented Josh Aloiai from playing,” he said.
“Over this period we have had Tom Trbojevic, Tommy Talau, Jason Saab and Josh Aloiai miss games due to the playing schedule / short turnaround that on normal turnarounds would have been available.”
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