Former NSW custodian Brett Stewart has made 119 appearances for the Sea Eagles - and scored 98 tries - but has never worn the captain's armband before. The Eagles are left with a relatively inexperienced side to face the Roosters but Hasler backed the unheralded Jamie Buhrer, Tim Robinson, Vic Mauro and Daniel Harrison to fill the breach. ''I've got five starting players on the sideline,'' Hasler said. ''It hasn't been easy but I've got confidence in our young players.
''The players coming in - the Harrisons, Buhrers, the Robinsons, the Mauros - they'll be just fine.''
TAB Sportsbet responded by lengthening Manly's odds from $3.75 to $3.90, while the Roosters firmed into $1.25 favourites.
''Glenn Stewart is very experienced but he's not what you'd call a game-breaking player,'' TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said. ''Someone like Anthony Watmough being out would have a much bigger impact in … changing the price of the match.''
smh.com.au