Early team news for Round 22
Author
Dan Talintyre
Timestamp
Mon 12 Aug 2019, 05:38 PM
Wests Tigers could field a new-look side for Thursday night's must-win game against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Lottoland with injuries and possible suspensions arising from the Round 20 defeat to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Michael Maguire's side will likely be without Robbie Farah (tibia) and Moses Mbye (hip flexor) for Thursday's game after the pair were forced off injured last week.
The club confirmed on Sunday that, following scans, Farah had fractured part of his tibia and will miss the game against Manly with Wests Tigers to explore further assessment and options around the hooker’s recovery.
The news was more positive for Mbye, who will be given every opportunity to play this week but is in doubt given the short turnaround from Saturday's game.
With Josh Aloiai (hand), Russell Packer (foot) and Ben Matulino (knee) all sidelined, young forwards Thomas Mikaele and Oliver Clark started against the Bulldogs last week and could be in line to do so again this week after a strong showing.
Jacob Liddle looms as the man most likely to replace Farah in the number nine jersey after being withdrawn from the club's Canterbury Cup side on Sunday, with Elijah Taylor also capable of covering the position as he did on the weekend or even Josh Reynolds having played the position previously in his career.
Brooks full of praise for Liddle future
If Mbye is ruled out, Wests Tigers could turn to young gun Tommy Talau after the centre was also not named for the club's reserve grade side on the weekend, while Michael Chee Kam has also featured in the centres for the club this year.
The pending return of Mahe Fonua from a foot injury also creates another option for Maguire's men, with the Tongan international closing in on a return from injury.
Luke Garner looks set to be named on Tuesday after it was announced the club would fight the Grade 1 Dangerous Contact - Other charge at the Judiciary.
If successful in getting the charge dropped, Garner would be free to play against Manly, while he will spend one week on the sidelines if unsuccessful — Chris McQueen an option to come in to the side after featuring in the 21-man squad for the past few weeks and playing in the back row earlier this season.
While Wests Tigers face a number of decisions regarding injuries, the Sea Eagles will also be without several key players with Brad Parker (knee) and Curtis Sironen (hamstring) both set to be unavailable for the Round 22 clash.
Brendan Elliott or Abbas Miski are both options to come in for Parker, or Dylan Walker may be shifted from five-eighth to centre with Cade Cust returning.
Jack Gosiewski or Corey Waddell will likely start in the back row for Sironen.
Captain Daly Cherry-Evans (ankle) is set to be named and will be monitored throughout the week as the hosts look to bounce back from defeat last weekend.
Both Wests Tigers and the Sea Eagles will name 21-man squads for the game at 4:00pm AEST on Tuesday before providing an updated 19-man squad list for the game at 7:55pm AEST on Wednesday. Final 17-man team lists will then be confirmed one hour prior to kickoff on the night (6:55pm AEST, Thursday).
