Des Hasler faces a dilemma over Manly’s five-eighth for 2019 after Trent Hodkinson and Kane Elgey both impressed in the Sea Eagles’ 38-20 NRL trial win over the Sydney Roosters.
Playing against a Roosters side that included no members of last year’s grand-final winning team, both halves were solid as they gave Manly an 18-10 half-time lead before being rested in the second half.
Angus Crichton also scored in his first game for the Tri-colours on return from a shoulder injury, collecting a nice ball from Lachlan Lam, who set up three tries.
The rookie playmaker is unlikely to start 2019 in first grade but also put on a two-man cut-out ball for a Matt Ikuvalu try and grubbered to assist another.
But with the injured Tom Trbojevic and stood-down Dylan Walker watching on in Gosford, it was in Manly’s team where the battle for spots mattered most in their last trial before taking on the Wests Tigers.
Recruit Brendon Elliot appears set to claim Trbojevic’s No.1 jersey despite a quiet 40 minutes at fullback, with no other rivals emerging.
Moses Suli moved to right centre to cover Walker and made three errors, but likely starting-jersey competitor Albert Hopoate is yet to play a match this season as he returns from knee surgery.
Meanwhile Elgey grubbered nicely for one try for Jack Gosiewski in his push for the No.6 jersey, and also forced an error with a bomb just before half-time that led to a try on the ensuing set.
Hodkinson also kicked well in general play and slotted over three-from-three with the boot while remaining solid in defence after persistent knee issues.
The former NSW Origin half may appear to have the inside running after playing alongside Daly Cherry-Evans in last week’s pre-season clash against Cronulla, after the club captain was rested on Saturday.
Jake Trbojevic, Martin Taupau, Apisai Koroisau and Joel Thompson also missed the match for Manly as their fringe and reserve-grade players ran away with the game in the second half.