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Huge news for BBSF and the Covellians
SHARKS WELCOME BACK COVELL AS SKIPPER
19.07.07 15:55 Age: 7 min
Sharks winger and goal kicker Luke Covell is set to make a surprise return from injury and will be installed as the captain of a young and inexperienced Sharks side to take on the Manly Sea Eagles on Friday night.
Covell was expected to face a long stretch on the sidelines after injuring his ankle in the game against the Bulldogs, with his quick recovery the only positive Sharks news when it comes to injury and suspension.
Jacob Selmes has withdrawn with a knee injury, with coach Ricky Stuart to reshuffle his starting side to accommodate Covell. The final make up of his team wont likely be determined until up to an hour before the scheduled kick off at 7.30pm.
Fielding a team missing up to 12 players from their full time NRL squad, the Sharks face a tough assignment against a high-flying Eagles outfit which is sitting in second place on the NRL ladder.
In what is almost the opposite situation, with Kiwi centre Steve Mattai escaping suspension at a judiciary hearing last night, Manly will have all hands on deck as they attempt to put an end to a 21-year hoodoo in matches played between the two teams at Toyota Park.
The last Manly victory at the Sharks home ground came way back in 1986, with Ricky Stuart encouraging his side to show plenty of pride in the Cronulla jersey in a bid to keep their impressive streak intact.
"I told them to go out and play for the team and play for pride," Stuart said. "Thats all I can ask of them."
Two players in the Sharks team who are certain to be excited about the opportunity which has come their way, are big prop Eddie Sua and speedy outside back Dane Nielsen.
Sua, a Parramatta junior who arrived at the Sharks from the North Sydney club at the beginning of the year, stands an imposing 190cm tall and weighs in at almost 115kgs. After spending a few weeks running around for the Helensburgh club in the Wollongong competition in a big to gain some match fitness, Sua has earned his chance with a couple of robust performances in the Sharks Premier League team in recent weeks.
If the inclusion of Sua has come somewhat unexpectedly, Nielsens selection on the other hand has probably taken a little longer than some good judges may have predicted.
A standout in the Sharks Jersey Flegg side of two years ago, the Mackay born and raised Nielsen played in the Sharks Premier League team in 2006 and has turned in a number of impressive performances to date throughout 2007. Primarily a centre in Premier League, Nielsen has been selected to make his debut on the wing.
Also keen to play well on Friday night will be second-row/centre Paul Stephenson, a former Manly player. Stephenson has been named on the Sharks interchange bench and will likely get his opportunity in the back row.
Betting on SportsTab has the visiting Manly team a $1.36 favourite for the match, which will be controlled by referee Shayne Hayne.
The kick off will take place at 7.30pm at Toyota Park, with Premier League between the same two teams to begin at 5.30pm. The first match of the afternoon is an Arrive Alive Schoolboys clash between St Gregorys College of Campbelltown and Matraville Sports High, set down to start at 4.15pm.
The Sharks Jersey Flegg side have the bye this weekend.
Gates to Toyota Park open at 4.00pm.
SHARKS WELCOME BACK COVELL AS SKIPPER
19.07.07 15:55 Age: 7 min
Sharks winger and goal kicker Luke Covell is set to make a surprise return from injury and will be installed as the captain of a young and inexperienced Sharks side to take on the Manly Sea Eagles on Friday night.
Covell was expected to face a long stretch on the sidelines after injuring his ankle in the game against the Bulldogs, with his quick recovery the only positive Sharks news when it comes to injury and suspension.
Jacob Selmes has withdrawn with a knee injury, with coach Ricky Stuart to reshuffle his starting side to accommodate Covell. The final make up of his team wont likely be determined until up to an hour before the scheduled kick off at 7.30pm.
Fielding a team missing up to 12 players from their full time NRL squad, the Sharks face a tough assignment against a high-flying Eagles outfit which is sitting in second place on the NRL ladder.
In what is almost the opposite situation, with Kiwi centre Steve Mattai escaping suspension at a judiciary hearing last night, Manly will have all hands on deck as they attempt to put an end to a 21-year hoodoo in matches played between the two teams at Toyota Park.
The last Manly victory at the Sharks home ground came way back in 1986, with Ricky Stuart encouraging his side to show plenty of pride in the Cronulla jersey in a bid to keep their impressive streak intact.
"I told them to go out and play for the team and play for pride," Stuart said. "Thats all I can ask of them."
Two players in the Sharks team who are certain to be excited about the opportunity which has come their way, are big prop Eddie Sua and speedy outside back Dane Nielsen.
Sua, a Parramatta junior who arrived at the Sharks from the North Sydney club at the beginning of the year, stands an imposing 190cm tall and weighs in at almost 115kgs. After spending a few weeks running around for the Helensburgh club in the Wollongong competition in a big to gain some match fitness, Sua has earned his chance with a couple of robust performances in the Sharks Premier League team in recent weeks.
If the inclusion of Sua has come somewhat unexpectedly, Nielsens selection on the other hand has probably taken a little longer than some good judges may have predicted.
A standout in the Sharks Jersey Flegg side of two years ago, the Mackay born and raised Nielsen played in the Sharks Premier League team in 2006 and has turned in a number of impressive performances to date throughout 2007. Primarily a centre in Premier League, Nielsen has been selected to make his debut on the wing.
Also keen to play well on Friday night will be second-row/centre Paul Stephenson, a former Manly player. Stephenson has been named on the Sharks interchange bench and will likely get his opportunity in the back row.
Betting on SportsTab has the visiting Manly team a $1.36 favourite for the match, which will be controlled by referee Shayne Hayne.
The kick off will take place at 7.30pm at Toyota Park, with Premier League between the same two teams to begin at 5.30pm. The first match of the afternoon is an Arrive Alive Schoolboys clash between St Gregorys College of Campbelltown and Matraville Sports High, set down to start at 4.15pm.
The Sharks Jersey Flegg side have the bye this weekend.
Gates to Toyota Park open at 4.00pm.
