Manly Sea Eagles' head coach Anthony Seibold is set to spring a surprise for Saturday evening's Round 6 clash against the Penrith Panthers, with Kaeo Weekes to join the starting side.
Weekes has played the first four games off the bench for the Sea Eagles in a utility role.
Able to play anywhere in the backline, Weekes has been explosive for Manly throughout his time off the bench, adding plenty of value in attack when he has had the opportunity to come onto the field.
With Josh Schuster to miss the game as he continues his battle to return from injury, head coach Anthony Seibold revealed to the media on Friday morning that Weekes will win out the race for the number six jersey.
โI think he has been really effective for us off the bench... he deserves an opportunity,โ Seibold said.
Schuster has already missed two games this season, failing to take to the field in Round 1 against the Canterbury Bulldogs, and last week in a high-scoring, 32-all draw against the Newcastle Knights.
On both of those occasions, it was Cooper Johns who came into the side to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves.
Johns has struggled in his role at five-eighth though, and Weekes' call-up will be seen as a needed change for Sea Eagles' fans as they attempt to spin positivity back into their season after squandering an early lead in Mudgee last weekend.
Weekes was already named on the bench, so now it remains to be seen which of the reserves will slot into the bench.
Seibold could elect to play another forward in the shape of Toafofoa Sipley or recent recruit Aaron Woods, while young gun Samuela Fainu is also pushing for a debut.
That option comes with Karl Lawton - who can fill in at dummy half or the centres in a pinch - also named on the bench.
The other option for coach Seibold will be to name Johns as a bench player, or winger Raymond Tuaimalo-Vaega, who was also named in the squad on Tuesday.
Speaking on Schuster, Seibold said it was all about considering a long season and taking the cautious approach.
โWe've tried to make sure we are looking after Josh and we want him to play against Penrith, but it is a long year,โ head coach Anthony Seibold said.
โWhen he could feel it on Wednesday, we thought we should be smart about it.โ
Penrith has their own injury issues coming into the game, with Liam Martin, Luke Garner and James Fisher-Harris all missing out from what would be considered their best 17.
Teams will be cut to 19 at 5:30pm (AEST) on Friday for the clash between the Panthers and Sea Eagles, which kicks off at the foot of the mountains 24 hours later.
