Several very talented youngsters will be out to impress in Manly's opening trial match for 2023 in Gosford this Friday night.
Coach Anthony Seibold has named a 23-man squad comprised of NRL players and some fine talent from across the Sea Eagles grades.
Prop Toff Sipley will captain the Sea Eagles in the Pre-season Challenge match against South Sydney.
NRL players Christian Tuipulotu, Jackson Ferris, Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, Cooper Johns, Ben Condon, Ben Trbojevic, Ethan Bullemor, Zac Fulton and Josh Stuckey will also join Sipley in the squad.
Ferris, Condon, and Stuckey will make their first appearance in the maroon and white jersey.
For Johns, the game will signal the start of a homecoming for the former Manly Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cup half, who made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm in 2020.
The Sea Eagles will field a very sharp looking spine in full-back Jake Toby, five-eighth Cooper Johns, half-back Jamie Humphreys, and hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong.
Manly’s NRL Skill Development Coach Steven Hales gives an insight into some of the younger players on show.
Jake Toby: Players’ Player for Blacktown Workers NSW Cup side in 2022. A player with great pace and skills, Jake spent time training with the NRL squad prior to the Christmas break.
Jackson Ferris: A skillful centre, Ferris scored a try in his NRL debut for Cronulla in 2020. Is on a train and trial contract at Manly.
Fletcher Myers: A former Newcastle Knights junior, Myers impressed in the Manly SG Ball and Jersey Flegg teams in 2022. A versatile back, Myers shows maturity beyond his years.
Jamie Humphreys: Has spent the past two seasons as a development player learning from experienced half Daly Cherry-Evans. A quality goal-kicking half, Humphreys has a strong all-round game.
Gordon Chan Kum Tong: A tough, crafty, skillful hooker, ‘Gordie’ certainly holds no fear when it comes to tackling bigger opponents. A fierce competitor who displays professionalism and natural leadership well beyond his years.
Samuela Fainu: A 107 kilogram young powerhouse forward, the 19-year-old has impressed the coaching staff with his raw and powerful athletic ability. Could well make his NRL debut in 2023.
Harradyn Wilson: A 21-year-old half-back who played for Souths Magpies in the Qld Cup last year. He also represented the Qld U19s team.
Cameron Brown: Hard running young winger who scored plenty of tries for Manly's Jersey Flegg Cup side last year.
Viliami Fifita: A damaging ball runner with speed and agility, the 194cm/112kg prop is in his second season as a Manly NRL development player after coming through the Sea Eagles Pathways Academy.
Jacob Sykes: A tough prop who loves the physical stuff. Played Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup last year and is learning every day as a Sea Eagles development player.
Charlie Thompson: Exciting young full-back who played in Manly's Jersey Flegg side in 2022. Joined Manly at the age of 16 and has trained with the NRL squad over summer.
Josh Stuckey: A middle/back-rower, Josh was one of the most promising forwards for the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup before making his NRL debut for the Canterbury Bulldogs last year.
Dean Matterson: Younger brother of Parramatta NRL player Ryan Matterson, Dean was named the Mounties NSW Cup Player of the Year in 2022. A lock with good ball skills and high work rate.
James Uesele: A very hard running prop forward who can certainly shatter the defence. Has come through the successful Sea Eagles Pathways program.
Joey Tramontana: Represented Italy in the recent Rugby League World Cup and has played for Blacktown Workers in the NSW Cup. Joey was a highly touted junior who won the prestigious Peter Sterling Medal in the Australian Schoolboys competition.
