By Dean Ritchie
September 07, 2010 It's almost enough to set aside fans' traditional animosity toward the NRL's most hated club.
The Des Hasler-coached Manly Sea Eagles will face a red-hot St George Illawarra as the most weakened side ever to enter a league finals series.
The Sea Eagles have a staggering 14 players either already out or in doubt for Sunday's qualifying final against the minor premiers at Kogarah.
Effectively, Manly could take the field minus an entire football team.
The situation is so dire the Sea Eagles cannot train today and will only have a brief swimming session.
Bookmakers have posted them as $34 outsiders to win the premiership, with the Dragons tightening into $2.50.
Such is the Sea Eagles' plight, Manly captain Jamie Lyon has declared a win on Sunday will rank among the greatest in his club's 63-year history.
On a day the one-time Silvertails' title hopes slumped:
* THREE Manly players were charged by the NRL match review committee -- Steve Matai, Jason King and Chris Bailey. Matai is looking at a suspension of either seven or nine matches;
* FIVE-EIGHTH Kieran Foran (shoulder) was ruled out for the season, joining Glenn Stewart (suspended) and injured trio Brett Stewart, David Williams and Shane Rodney; and
* REPRESENTATIVE back-rower Anthony Watmough confirmed he is in grave doubt for the final with an ankle injury, while inspirational captain Jamie Lyon is also battling a painful ankle injury.
Matai, who knocked out Bulldogs hooker Michael Ennis with a late tackle, is expected to plead guilty and be banished for seven games, while King may fight a one-match suspension for a high tackle.
Bailey will be free to play after an early plea.
ARL CEO Geoff Carr said Matai could serve some matches in the Four Nations series if selected in the New Zealand squad.
King is also carrying an ankle injury while Matt Ballin (concussion), Brent Kite (collarbone), Joe Galuvao (groin) and Ben Farrar (shoulder) are fighting to play.
The logical replacement for Matai, Toyota Cup star Dean Whare, is also unavailable due to injury.
Manly's despair comes as the Dragons easily claimed the minor premiership and had the luxury of resting four players for Sunday night's match against Souths.
Asked would an against-the-odds win be one of Manly's finest, Lyon said: "I think so. It will be a great win if we can do it. It is a great opportunity. It's a final so there aren't many bigger challenges.
"It will be a massive task but we are capable of beating anyone on our day. Everyone expects the Dragons to win so there won't be much pressure on us.
"It's going to be a bit of a nervous wait (for the injured players).
"We have got a few out but we're confident in the players we have available.
"We don't know exactly who's in or who's out at the moment.
"We probably won't know for a few days yet. We could well have quite a few out."
