Manly anxiously awaiting player toll - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Manly anxiously awaiting player toll

By Steve Jancetic 06/09/2010 12:33:58 PM Comments (0)

Manly skipper Jamie Lyon says the battered club may not know for a few days which of many doubtful players will be available to take on minor premiers St George Illawarra in the first week of the NRL finals.

The Sea Eagles have as many as nine players in danger of missing Sunday's trip to WIN Jubilee Oval for the fourth qualifying final after they limped into the playoffs in eighth place despite Sunday's loss to Canterbury.

The match review committee will decide later on Monday the fate of co-captain Jason King, Chris Bailey and centre Steve Matai, with all three facing possible high tackle charges.

Test backrower Anthony Watmough (ankle), Matt Ballin (concussion), Brent Kite (collarbone), Joe Galuvao (groin), Keiran Foran (shoulder) and Lyon (ankle) are also in doubt - that injury list on top of the unavailability of Glenn Stewart (suspension) plus Shane Rodney and Brett Stewart, who both won't play again in 2010 due to knee injuries.

"We have got a few out and it's going to be a really big challenge for us, but we're confident in the players we have still available," Lyon said at Monday's captain's call from the eight NRL finalists at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Asked who would definitely not play, Lyon said: "It could be everyone at the moment, we could have quite a few out.

"We don't know exactly who's in or who's out at the moment, we probably won't know for a few days yet."

The most anticipated of the four qualifying finals pits Wests Tigers against Sydney Roosters at the SFS, with officials hopeful of a 40,000-plus sellout on Saturday night at a venue both clubs share.

"Everyone in the club's pretty excited about being back here in September, it's been five years," Farah said.

"We're just hoping the Tigers fans outnumber the Roosters fans and make it a home ground advantage for us.

"I'm sure if we can fill out the stadium it will be a great spectacle."

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