HappilyManly
Journey Man
Sea Eagles set to bring T-Rex back from brink of extinction
Adrian Proszenko
September 7, 2019 — 7.30pm
Manly are considering reviving the NRL career of Tony Williams as they deal with an injury crisis that could result in them struggling to name a side for the opening week of the finals.
The Sea Eagles are resigned to being without star prop Martin Taupau after he was charged with a grade-three high tackle on Ray Stone in Friday night’s loss to Parramatta. Taupau is expected to take the early guilty plea, given he would still miss a week with a downgrade to a grade two, and officials privately concede they wouldn’t be able to argue it down to a grade one at the judiciary.
Fellow forwards Taniela Paseka (knee) and Curtis Sironen (calf) succumbed to injury in the loss to the Eels and neither are expected to be available for the start of the play-offs. They join an already bulging injury ward that includes Tom Trbojevic (pectoral), Joel Thompson (arm), Toafofoa Sipley (knee), Albert Hopoate, Jack Gosiewski (leg) and Morgan Boyle (shoulder).
Gosiewski and Boyle are some chance of returning this week, but if they are both scratched the club may have to look beyond its top-30 squad. Manly handed prop Sean Keppie his debut against the Eels and may have to blood another youngster, Haumole Olakau'atu, in a play-off game.
The dramas may prompt the club to turn to Tony Williams, the former NSW and Australian forward signed to feeder team Blacktown Workers. Because he isn’t in the top-30, Manly would have to request a special exemption from the NRL in order to play. They could mount a strong case if none of the injured players are able to make their return.
Williams’ career appeared over after he recorded a second strike under the NRL’s illicit drugs policy while at Parramatta last year. The incident prompted the Eels, who had thrown Williams a lifeline for the 2018 season, to tear up his contract.
However, Blacktown threw him a lifeline that could result in perhaps one of the most unexpected returns to the NRL, in a finals match for Manly.
Williams has played his best football under Des Hasler at the northern beaches. The man dubbed ‘T-Rex’ followed the coach to Canterbury and the pair could be reunited in the top grade due to the lack of available troops.
Regardless of who is available, captain Daly Cherry-Evans is confident his side can mount a serious challenge for the title.
“It’s definitely not ideal with injuries but it’s too early to assess the damage,” Cherry-Evans said.
“There will be an opportunity for 17 players to play in a finals series and that in itself is pretty exciting. I know I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/se...from-brink-of-extinction-20190907-p52ozb.html
Adrian Proszenko
September 7, 2019 — 7.30pm
Manly are considering reviving the NRL career of Tony Williams as they deal with an injury crisis that could result in them struggling to name a side for the opening week of the finals.
The Sea Eagles are resigned to being without star prop Martin Taupau after he was charged with a grade-three high tackle on Ray Stone in Friday night’s loss to Parramatta. Taupau is expected to take the early guilty plea, given he would still miss a week with a downgrade to a grade two, and officials privately concede they wouldn’t be able to argue it down to a grade one at the judiciary.
Fellow forwards Taniela Paseka (knee) and Curtis Sironen (calf) succumbed to injury in the loss to the Eels and neither are expected to be available for the start of the play-offs. They join an already bulging injury ward that includes Tom Trbojevic (pectoral), Joel Thompson (arm), Toafofoa Sipley (knee), Albert Hopoate, Jack Gosiewski (leg) and Morgan Boyle (shoulder).
Gosiewski and Boyle are some chance of returning this week, but if they are both scratched the club may have to look beyond its top-30 squad. Manly handed prop Sean Keppie his debut against the Eels and may have to blood another youngster, Haumole Olakau'atu, in a play-off game.
The dramas may prompt the club to turn to Tony Williams, the former NSW and Australian forward signed to feeder team Blacktown Workers. Because he isn’t in the top-30, Manly would have to request a special exemption from the NRL in order to play. They could mount a strong case if none of the injured players are able to make their return.
Williams’ career appeared over after he recorded a second strike under the NRL’s illicit drugs policy while at Parramatta last year. The incident prompted the Eels, who had thrown Williams a lifeline for the 2018 season, to tear up his contract.
However, Blacktown threw him a lifeline that could result in perhaps one of the most unexpected returns to the NRL, in a finals match for Manly.
Williams has played his best football under Des Hasler at the northern beaches. The man dubbed ‘T-Rex’ followed the coach to Canterbury and the pair could be reunited in the top grade due to the lack of available troops.
Regardless of who is available, captain Daly Cherry-Evans is confident his side can mount a serious challenge for the title.
“It’s definitely not ideal with injuries but it’s too early to assess the damage,” Cherry-Evans said.
“There will be an opportunity for 17 players to play in a finals series and that in itself is pretty exciting. I know I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/se...from-brink-of-extinction-20190907-p52ozb.html
