DAILYTELEGRAPH.COM.AUWEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17WEDNESDAY 2014 SEPTEMBER 17 2014 SPORTNRL 4377 Manly hit by Choc bar

DEAN RITCHIE Watmough yesterday took the early plea to a dangerous throw charge on South ’s Greg In- MANLY’s chances of toppling Can- glis and will miss one game. terbury in Saturday’s must-win He will return for the grand final semi-final plummeted yesterday qualifier should Manly progress. when star forward Anthony Wat- Had he fought and lost at the ju- mough was suspended, while rep- diciary, Watmough would have resentative winger is been suspended for two games. fighting to save his place in the Sea Manly captain , who Eagles team. was also in the Inglis tackle, pleaded Taufua, who represented City in guilty but avoided suspension. 2013 and 2014, was named on the The other big suspension news Manly wing for Saturday night’s involved North for- elimination semi-final against Can- ward , who pleaded guilty terbury at Allianz Stadium despite to a shoulder charge and will miss suggestions he was under pressure five games, ending his season. to retain his place. Manly players spoke about Wat- It was only eight weeks ago that mough yesterday an hour before he Taufua was being mooted as a poss- was actually suspended. ible NSW winger. “’Choc’ (Watmough) has been However a series of fumbles under one of our best forwards all year,” high balls has placed his position on said fullback Brett Stewart. “We the wing in jeopardy. need him in the side to win I think.” Asked would Taufua play, Manly Forward Tom Symonds added: coach said: “At this “It (a suspension) would be massive stage, yes.” for us. He does so much hard work Pressed on whether Taufua was in the middle. It would be quite a big fighting to hold his spot, Toovey loss if he happens to miss this week.” said: “All players are battling to hold Manly will battle on still, a club their place after last weekend. This used to overcoming adversity and set- is knockout and everyone must pro- Jorge Taufua is battling to retain his place in the Sea Eagles side. Picture: Mark Evans backs. If anything, Manly actually duce their best performance.” thrive on drama. They will, though, The Rabbitohs hammered Tau- already without established for- Watmough, Taufua and Ballin an early release to join . have to improve significantly on their fua with bombs last weekend and wards , did not train yesterday. Should Down on troops, there is no effort against Souths, where the Rab- Canterbury are ready to repeat the and through injury. Manly lose, Watmough may not doubt Canterbury will attempt to bitohs led 40-0 during the second half. serve this Saturday evening. However Ballin may make a shock play again for Manly with specu- trample Manly through the middle, “We have to be better,” said Matai. Watmough’s loss will sting a club return this weekend from a broken foot. lation increasing he may be granted as Souths did last Friday night. “ I am sure we will be on the weekend.”

WEEK 2 1ST SEMI-FINAL 2ND SEMI-FINAL Allianz Stadium, Friday 7.25pm Allianz Stadium, Saturday 7.15pm V V

Anthony Minichiello (c) 1 Michael Morgan Brett Stewart 1 2 Jorge Taufua 2 Corey Thompson Michael Jennings 3 Jamie Lyon (c) 3 Josh Morris Shaun Kenny-Dowall 4 4 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 5 5 Mitch Brown James Maloney 6 6 Josh Reynolds 7 (c) Daly Cherry-Evans 7 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 8 Matt Scott (c) Jason King 8 Aiden Tolman 9 Rory Kostjasyn Jayden Hodges 9 (c) 10 Ashton Sims Brenton Lawrence 10 James Graham 11 Tom Symonds 11 Josh Jackson 12 Glenn Hall 12 Tony Williams 13 13 Interchange: 14 Mitchell Interchange: 14 Ray Interchange: 14 Jesse Interchange: 14 Reni Aubusson, 15 Frank-Paul Thompson, 15 , Sene-Lefao, 15 Cheyse Maitua, 15 , Nuuausala,16 Isaac Lui, 17 16 , 17 James Blair, 16 James Hasson, 16 , Re’mi Casty Tamou 17 Josh Starling 17

Referees: Shayne Hayne, Gavin Badger TV: Live Channel 9 Referees: Gerard Sutton, Ben Cummins TV: Live TAB: Roosters $1.47, Cowboys $2.75 Channel 9 TAB: Sea Eagles $2.30, Bulldogs $1.65 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 2ND PRELIMINARY FINAL 1ST PRELIMINARY FINAL GRAND FINAL ANZ Stadium, Friday 7.25pm ANZ Stadium, Saturday 7.25pm ANZ Stadium, Sunday October 5 Kickoff 7.00pm RABBITOHS PANTHERS V V WINNER PRELIMINARY 1 WINNER WINNER V SEMI-FINAL 1 SEMI-FINAL 2 WINNER PRELIMINARY 2

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