Manly have sprung a selection shock and brought Tony Williams back from the NRL wilderness for their elimination final against Cronulla.
With the Sea Eagles stricken by injuries in the past three weeks, Williams has been playing reserve grade for Manly after being let go at the end of last year by Parramatta.
Once one of the most-menacing players in the NRL, Williams played five Tests for Australia in 2011 and 2012, spending most of his career under coach Des Hasler.
But the 30-year-old has played just six games in the past three seasons, with injuries and off-field problems taking their toll at Cronulla and Parramatta.
His last first-grade game was more than 16 months ago – on April 29 last year for the Eels.
With almost a third of their top-30 squad injured or suspended, Manly received NRL clearance to name Williams in their 21-man squad on Tuesday.
That list includes back-rowers Joel Thompson (arm), Curtis Sironen (foot), and starting prop Martin Taupau (suspension).
“It’s challenging,” prop Addin Fonua-Blake said.
“It’s a backs-to-the-wall thing like it always is at the club.
“(Coach) Des (Hasler) loves us flying under the radar. It comes with wearing the maroon and white. When you sign up, your back is already against the wall.”
Former NSW State of Origin player Williams was cut by Parramatta after recording a second strike under the NRL’s illicit drugs policy.
He returned in June for Manly’s feeder club Blacktown Workers.
Meanwhile, South Sydney enforcer George Burgess has been named 18th man against the Sydney Roosters as he returns from a nine-week suspension.
Rabbitohs flyer James Roberts is also back from suspension, Sam Burgess is out (suspended), while Tom Burgess has been named on the bench.