Manly could face a severe player shortage ahead of the NRL finals with prop Martin Taupau at risk of being sidelined after being sin-binned for a high tackle.
The Sea Eagles’ finals campaign has been left in tatters following a string of injuries, with six players now hurt in the past three weeks.
Taniela Paseka (knee) and Curtis Sironen (calf) added to those problems on Friday, as Manly fell to sixth with their 32-16 loss to Parramatta.
But Taupau will only have himself to blame if he isn’t able to take to Lottoland next weekend for the Sea Eagles.
The Kiwi prop was sin-binned for a swinging arm on Parramatta’s Ray Stone, which left the forward needing to be taken from the field in a medicab.
Taupau was sin-binned but not sent off for the offence, but his good record at the judiciary will at least mean he has no weighting or carry-over points to be added.
“Paseka looks like he’s gone, he’s done a knee,” Manly coach Des Hasler said.
“And Curtis Sironen is a calf, so we’ll manage that.
“I’ll have to check Martin Taupau’s carryovers. I’m a little bit worried about that one.”
“His experience and his carries (are important).
“He’s one of the prominent front-rowers in the game and we haven’t got that position where we’re going to get a (second) chance (in the finals).”
The Sea Eagles will likely face Brisbane at next week’s do-or-die final at Brookvale, but could also be drawn against Cronulla or Wests Tigers dependent on results.
Manly could at least get Jack Gosiewski back from a leg injury next week, but will still be without Tom Trbojevic (pectoral), Joel Thompson (broken arm) and Morgan Boyle (shoulder).
The Eels could also have problems arising out of Friday’s win, with prop Kane Evans on report and sin-binned for a high shot on Manly centre Brad Parker.
The shot initially floored Parker after Evans made contact with his upper arm, before the Sea Eagle eventually rose to his feet and came off for a late concussion test.
“I think (Kane) is okay, actually,” Eels coach Brad Arthur said.
“I’d need to have another look at it. I thought it was okay. He’s been good the back end of the year. It was his 100th game tonight so it was nice for Kane.”