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Sea Eagles v Knights: Quad sidelines Schuster; Young returns

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Telstra Premiership action returns to Mudgee this Saturday when the Sea Eagles host the Knights at their home away from home at Glen Willow Oval.

Despite suffering their first loss of the year last week, in heartbreaking fashion in golden point against the Rabbitohs, the Sea Eagles remain second on the ladder and likely won't have lost any confidence from failing to get the points in Round 4.

The Manly backline continues to be a big strength for coach Anthony Seibold, with each of their back five running for over 100 metres last week and Tom Trbojevic (194) and Reuben Garrick (198) coming very close to cracking 200. 

The Knights meanwhile kept Canberra scoreless through the second 40 minutes last week to overcome a 14-8 half-time deficit and claim win number two for 2023. 

Fullback Lachlan Miller was among Adam O'Brien's best players for the second week in a row, setting up two of their five tries and putting his hand up for a game-high 28 carries. 

Both of the games between these two sides last year belonged to Manly, with the Sea Eagles outscoring the Knights 72-18 in those fixtures. 

Manly have also won both of their previous two games at this venue, beating the Raiders last year and the Titans in 2021. 

Team news 

Sea Eagles: Five-eighth Josh Schuster was ruled out on Thursday after succumbing to a quad injury he suffered against Souths and is replaced by Cooper Johns. In the centres, Morgan Harper will play his first game of the season in place of Tolu Koula (knee). Hooker Lachlan Croker returns from the shoulder injury which kept him out of Round 4, taking the place of Karl Lawton who will serve as the replacement player. There were no further changes an hour from kick-off. 

Knights: No late changes for the Knights after Dominic Young replaced Hymel Hunt on the wing earlier in the week. With Kurt Mann out under the 11-day stand-down period Jack Johns starts at lock. Centre Dane Gagai will make his 250th appearance at NRL level. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
    Fullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan Miller
  • Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Christian Tuipulotu
    Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
  • Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker
    Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
  • Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Morgan Harper
    Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
  • Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
    Winger for Knights is number 20 Dominic Young
  • Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 19 Cooper Johns
    Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
  • Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans
    Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

  • Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
    Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
  • Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
    Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
  • Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Jake Trbojevic
    Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
  • 2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
    2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
  • 2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi
    2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan  Fitzgibbon
  • Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Josh Aloiai
    Lock for Knights is number 13 Jack Johns

Interchange

  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Kaeo Weekes
    Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Ben Trbojevic
    Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jack Hetherington
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
    Interchange for Knights is number 16 Mat Croker
  • Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Sean Keppie
    Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones

Reserves

  • Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 21 Karl Lawton
    Replacement for Knights is number 18 Dylan Lucas

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Sea Eagles outscored the Knights 72-18 in home and away wins in 2022.
  • Only five Knights players have played previously at Mudgee’s Glen Willow Stadium.
  • Sea Eagles winger Reuben Garrick has scored 32 points in two games in Mudgee.
  • Knights centre Dane Gagai will make his 250th NRL appearance.
  • The Sea Eagles have claimed decisive wins over the Titans and Raiders in two games in Mudgee.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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