Trbojevic shift, players dropped: Manly coach has two games to prove he can turn club around
'Seibs understands this as well as I do, it's all about winning games. Seibs is safe at this point.'
Sources told this masthead that Lachlan Croker and Jason Saab could spend time in NSW Cup this week despite Manly having the bye.
The major talking point out of Seibold's meetings is the expected shift of Tom Trbojevic from fullback to centre to accommodate the return of Lehi Hopoate, who missed the loss against the Gold Coast Titans after picking up a concussion the previous week.
'As a club we know the last two losses have been unacceptable,' Mestrov said.
'As a club we're going to turn this around. We have a bye this week and two games at home. There's no better way to get the season back on track against the Tigers and Souths. We've just got to do better. It's as simple as that. We're all in this together as a club.'
Mestrov admitted he had met with Seibold but insisted it was nothing out of the ordinary. Mestrov's contract with Manly was recently extended through to the end of 2027 but is believed to include a six-month pay-out.
'We chat after every game,' Mestrov said.
'There's no crisis meeting or anything like that. We just spoke about how we can turn it around. I felt like I could give advice and he could give me advice. We've got a good relationship. As a club we've got to turn it around. It was constructive conversation about how we can turn our season around.'
Manly last month begun conversations with the management of Jake and Tom Trbojevic about extending their respective careers on the Northern Beaches before they hit the open market on November 1.
The brothers are contracted until the end of 2026, but Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov has personally opened talks with their manager to begin working on a deal to keep both as one-club players.
Young gun Hopoate, who recently extended his Manly deal until the end of 2027, is seen as the long-term successor to Tom at fullback having impressed in Tom's absence due to injury.
A move to five-eighth for Tom was previously touted, but the arrival of Jamal Fogarty next season has placed a question mark over such a shift given the Sea Eagles also have Luke Brooks on their books. The decision to move Trbojevic to centre will only further add to Manly's conundrum on what he is worth and how long to extend him for.
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Tom is in no rush to decide his future, nor does he want Manly to feel obliged to make him an offer as a mark of respect for what he has done for the club.
Trbojevic does not want to play against Manly and has told those close to him he would be open to a move to the Super League in 2027 if it was in the Sea Eagles' best interest for him to leave the club.
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News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
NRL legend's daughter's dream crushed after missing out on prestigious job
A homegrown NRL cheerleader has narrowly missed out on her 'dream' to join the most prestigious cheerleading outfit in America. Indianna Carroll, the daughter of Manly legend Mark 'Spud' Carroll, was among 79 other finalists from across the world who applied for the NFL Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders try outs. Carroll, who has cheered for the Manly Sea Eagles Seabirds for a decade, flew out for the prestigious opportunity last week. But despite coming close, Carroll fell agonisingly short at the same stage of auditions for a second year running. A disappointed but determined Carroll issued a sad statement following the news. 'This past weekend, I had the incredible honour of standing among 80 phenomenal dancers on finals day for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders — a dream I've held close to my heart for as long as I can remember,' she said. 'Coming from Australia, my journey looked different. I didn't grow up in the same systems or with the same access, and I don't have a large social media following or a history in the American dance scene. 'I brought everything I had — my heart, my training and my deep love for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader's legacy. I danced with every ounce of passion I had, knowing I was representing not only myself, but also the community back home who dared to dream with me.' The Dallas cheerleaders, are described as 'the epitome of cheerleading in the world' and most recently became the subject of their own hit Netflix series called 'America's Sweethearts.' 'Unfortunately, my journey came to an end (on Sunday). I didn't advance to training camp for a second attempt, and yes, that's hard to say because when you want something so deeply, it's hard to fall short,' Carroll said. 'Still, I walk away from this experience incredibly proud. I left everything I had on that field. I carried a little piece of Sydney with me to Dallas, Texas, and showed up wholeheartedly as myself. 'To be in that room, to be considered among the top 80 across the world, and to have represented where I'm from on such a world-class stage, that's something I will carry with pride forever. 'This journey teaches you to embrace your most vulnerable self, stand proud in a place that once felt impossible to reach and be proud of yourself regardless of the outcome. 'Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who believed in me and supported me throughout this journey. I'm not sure what next now, but I'm excited to find out.' As many as 4000 women applied for only 10 open spots this year among the 36 overall sports with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. It was the third time Carroll had auditioned.
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'I'm grateful': Exiled Knight vows to make amends after breaking his silence on Newcastle deal
JACKSON Hastings hopes his future is in NRL. Right now, the off contract playmaker is focused purely on Newcastle and doing whatever he can to help kickstart the Knights' push for the top eight. Hastings ended a 329-day absence from the top grade with a solid shift in the Knights' controversial 12-8 defeat to the Roosters in front on 24,849 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. Covering for break-out star Fletcher Sharpe (calf) at five-eighth, Hastings steered the Knights around the park, threatened with his running game and was industrious in defence. "I almost got my jersey embroidered. It felt like a debut again," Hastings said after his first game in the NRL since July 20, 2024. "I'm just grateful to be back and a part of it. "I got to play [NRL] in front of my eight-week-old daughter, Scottie, for the first time. That meant more to me than just getting back out there." On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has dropped down the pecking order behind Sharpe, Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble. There were suggestions that the 29-year-old had fallen out of favour with senior players. Hastings admitted it looked 'pretty bleak at times' but the pivot 'didn't lose hope' of a recall. "The coach always said if an opportunity came, I would get a chance," Hastings said. "I'm pretty confident in my own abilities. It was a matter of time and when I fitted into the equation. "Fletcher Sharpe has ben arguably our best player and Coggs and Tyson Gamble have done a good job when they have been in the seven [jumper] too. "I had to apply my trade in NSW Cup, have a good attitude. I don't think anyone can question my effort back in cup, how I have been training, how I have applied myself." The Knights have made it clear that Hastings is not part of their plans for next season. The 29-year-old has previously played in the NRL for the Roosters, Manly and Wests Tigers. A return to the English Super League, where in 2019 he won the coverted Man of Steel awarded to the best player in the competition, is an option. But Hastings' prefererence is to stay in Australia. "Of course, I am hopeful of being in the NRL," Hastings said. "I will let my manager take care of that. I just want to play good footy. I'm not too worried about that at the moment. "People need to realise how much I love playing for Newcastle. Whether I'm here or not [next season], I love putting this jersey on. Every time I go out there, it is never going to be perfect but I put my heart on the line. "I'm not looking past trying to make the top eight here. Where I fit into the team? I don't care. If I have to play in the middle, the edge ... whatever. "I'm soley focused on playing for the Knights." MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Hastings was among a number of players who stepped up against the Roosters. "I'm going to be hard pressed to pick a bad one," he said. "I'm proud of all of them. "I thought Jacko kept us in the game. It had been a long time for him. He was another one that we told during the week 'you're in' and he grabbed it." Hastings ran 110 metres, broke three tackles, produced one offload, kicked the ball 334 metres and completed 26 tackles. "I like playing off the ball," Hastings said. "The narrative with me is that I am an on-ball halfback and I don't take the line on. When I play my best, I play a little bit wider off the ball. I'm a pretty big body. I like taking on back-rowers. I was unlucky not to score a couple of tries. "The message was to take the game on and defend well. I thought I did that." Sharpe has recovered from a calf injury and is expected to be recalled at five-eighth for the clash against the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. Gamble is also on track to return from a broken thumb. "I want to play first grade as much as I can," Hastings said. "The boys who are playing in front of me are doing a great job. I just have to bide my time and keep working hard. "When I get a chance, go out there and play my best. I can do a job in most positions. Wherever they need me I will play."JACKSON Hastings hopes his future is in NRL. Right now, the off contract playmaker is focused purely on Newcastle and doing whatever he can to help kickstart the Knights' push for the top eight. Hastings ended a 329-day absence from the top grade with a solid shift in the Knights' controversial 12-8 defeat to the Roosters in front on 24,849 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. Covering for break-out star Fletcher Sharpe (calf) at five-eighth, Hastings steered the Knights around the park, threatened with his running game and was industrious in defence. "I almost got my jersey embroidered. It felt like a debut again," Hastings said after his first game in the NRL since July 20, 2024. "I'm just grateful to be back and a part of it. "I got to play [NRL] in front of my eight-week-old daughter, Scottie, for the first time. That meant more to me than just getting back out there." On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has dropped down the pecking order behind Sharpe, Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble. There were suggestions that the 29-year-old had fallen out of favour with senior players. Hastings admitted it looked 'pretty bleak at times' but the pivot 'didn't lose hope' of a recall. "The coach always said if an opportunity came, I would get a chance," Hastings said. "I'm pretty confident in my own abilities. It was a matter of time and when I fitted into the equation. "Fletcher Sharpe has ben arguably our best player and Coggs and Tyson Gamble have done a good job when they have been in the seven [jumper] too. "I had to apply my trade in NSW Cup, have a good attitude. I don't think anyone can question my effort back in cup, how I have been training, how I have applied myself." The Knights have made it clear that Hastings is not part of their plans for next season. The 29-year-old has previously played in the NRL for the Roosters, Manly and Wests Tigers. A return to the English Super League, where in 2019 he won the coverted Man of Steel awarded to the best player in the competition, is an option. But Hastings' prefererence is to stay in Australia. "Of course, I am hopeful of being in the NRL," Hastings said. "I will let my manager take care of that. I just want to play good footy. I'm not too worried about that at the moment. "People need to realise how much I love playing for Newcastle. Whether I'm here or not [next season], I love putting this jersey on. Every time I go out there, it is never going to be perfect but I put my heart on the line. "I'm not looking past trying to make the top eight here. Where I fit into the team? I don't care. If I have to play in the middle, the edge ... whatever. "I'm soley focused on playing for the Knights." MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Hastings was among a number of players who stepped up against the Roosters. "I'm going to be hard pressed to pick a bad one," he said. "I'm proud of all of them. "I thought Jacko kept us in the game. It had been a long time for him. He was another one that we told during the week 'you're in' and he grabbed it." Hastings ran 110 metres, broke three tackles, produced one offload, kicked the ball 334 metres and completed 26 tackles. "I like playing off the ball," Hastings said. "The narrative with me is that I am an on-ball halfback and I don't take the line on. When I play my best, I play a little bit wider off the ball. I'm a pretty big body. I like taking on back-rowers. I was unlucky not to score a couple of tries. "The message was to take the game on and defend well. I thought I did that." Sharpe has recovered from a calf injury and is expected to be recalled at five-eighth for the clash against the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. Gamble is also on track to return from a broken thumb. "I want to play first grade as much as I can," Hastings said. "The boys who are playing in front of me are doing a great job. I just have to bide my time and keep working hard. "When I get a chance, go out there and play my best. I can do a job in most positions. Wherever they need me I will play."JACKSON Hastings hopes his future is in NRL. Right now, the off contract playmaker is focused purely on Newcastle and doing whatever he can to help kickstart the Knights' push for the top eight. Hastings ended a 329-day absence from the top grade with a solid shift in the Knights' controversial 12-8 defeat to the Roosters in front on 24,849 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. Covering for break-out star Fletcher Sharpe (calf) at five-eighth, Hastings steered the Knights around the park, threatened with his running game and was industrious in defence. "I almost got my jersey embroidered. It felt like a debut again," Hastings said after his first game in the NRL since July 20, 2024. "I'm just grateful to be back and a part of it. "I got to play [NRL] in front of my eight-week-old daughter, Scottie, for the first time. That meant more to me than just getting back out there." On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has dropped down the pecking order behind Sharpe, Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble. There were suggestions that the 29-year-old had fallen out of favour with senior players. Hastings admitted it looked 'pretty bleak at times' but the pivot 'didn't lose hope' of a recall. "The coach always said if an opportunity came, I would get a chance," Hastings said. "I'm pretty confident in my own abilities. It was a matter of time and when I fitted into the equation. "Fletcher Sharpe has ben arguably our best player and Coggs and Tyson Gamble have done a good job when they have been in the seven [jumper] too. "I had to apply my trade in NSW Cup, have a good attitude. I don't think anyone can question my effort back in cup, how I have been training, how I have applied myself." The Knights have made it clear that Hastings is not part of their plans for next season. The 29-year-old has previously played in the NRL for the Roosters, Manly and Wests Tigers. A return to the English Super League, where in 2019 he won the coverted Man of Steel awarded to the best player in the competition, is an option. But Hastings' prefererence is to stay in Australia. "Of course, I am hopeful of being in the NRL," Hastings said. "I will let my manager take care of that. I just want to play good footy. I'm not too worried about that at the moment. "People need to realise how much I love playing for Newcastle. Whether I'm here or not [next season], I love putting this jersey on. Every time I go out there, it is never going to be perfect but I put my heart on the line. "I'm not looking past trying to make the top eight here. Where I fit into the team? I don't care. If I have to play in the middle, the edge ... whatever. "I'm soley focused on playing for the Knights." MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Hastings was among a number of players who stepped up against the Roosters. "I'm going to be hard pressed to pick a bad one," he said. "I'm proud of all of them. "I thought Jacko kept us in the game. It had been a long time for him. He was another one that we told during the week 'you're in' and he grabbed it." Hastings ran 110 metres, broke three tackles, produced one offload, kicked the ball 334 metres and completed 26 tackles. "I like playing off the ball," Hastings said. "The narrative with me is that I am an on-ball halfback and I don't take the line on. When I play my best, I play a little bit wider off the ball. I'm a pretty big body. I like taking on back-rowers. I was unlucky not to score a couple of tries. "The message was to take the game on and defend well. I thought I did that." Sharpe has recovered from a calf injury and is expected to be recalled at five-eighth for the clash against the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. Gamble is also on track to return from a broken thumb. "I want to play first grade as much as I can," Hastings said. "The boys who are playing in front of me are doing a great job. I just have to bide my time and keep working hard. "When I get a chance, go out there and play my best. I can do a job in most positions. Wherever they need me I will play."JACKSON Hastings hopes his future is in NRL. Right now, the off contract playmaker is focused purely on Newcastle and doing whatever he can to help kickstart the Knights' push for the top eight. Hastings ended a 329-day absence from the top grade with a solid shift in the Knights' controversial 12-8 defeat to the Roosters in front on 24,849 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. Covering for break-out star Fletcher Sharpe (calf) at five-eighth, Hastings steered the Knights around the park, threatened with his running game and was industrious in defence. "I almost got my jersey embroidered. It felt like a debut again," Hastings said after his first game in the NRL since July 20, 2024. "I'm just grateful to be back and a part of it. "I got to play [NRL] in front of my eight-week-old daughter, Scottie, for the first time. That meant more to me than just getting back out there." On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has dropped down the pecking order behind Sharpe, Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble. There were suggestions that the 29-year-old had fallen out of favour with senior players. Hastings admitted it looked 'pretty bleak at times' but the pivot 'didn't lose hope' of a recall. "The coach always said if an opportunity came, I would get a chance," Hastings said. "I'm pretty confident in my own abilities. It was a matter of time and when I fitted into the equation. "Fletcher Sharpe has ben arguably our best player and Coggs and Tyson Gamble have done a good job when they have been in the seven [jumper] too. "I had to apply my trade in NSW Cup, have a good attitude. I don't think anyone can question my effort back in cup, how I have been training, how I have applied myself." The Knights have made it clear that Hastings is not part of their plans for next season. The 29-year-old has previously played in the NRL for the Roosters, Manly and Wests Tigers. A return to the English Super League, where in 2019 he won the coverted Man of Steel awarded to the best player in the competition, is an option. But Hastings' prefererence is to stay in Australia. "Of course, I am hopeful of being in the NRL," Hastings said. "I will let my manager take care of that. I just want to play good footy. I'm not too worried about that at the moment. "People need to realise how much I love playing for Newcastle. Whether I'm here or not [next season], I love putting this jersey on. Every time I go out there, it is never going to be perfect but I put my heart on the line. "I'm not looking past trying to make the top eight here. Where I fit into the team? I don't care. If I have to play in the middle, the edge ... whatever. "I'm soley focused on playing for the Knights." MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Hastings was among a number of players who stepped up against the Roosters. "I'm going to be hard pressed to pick a bad one," he said. "I'm proud of all of them. "I thought Jacko kept us in the game. It had been a long time for him. He was another one that we told during the week 'you're in' and he grabbed it." Hastings ran 110 metres, broke three tackles, produced one offload, kicked the ball 334 metres and completed 26 tackles. "I like playing off the ball," Hastings said. "The narrative with me is that I am an on-ball halfback and I don't take the line on. When I play my best, I play a little bit wider off the ball. I'm a pretty big body. I like taking on back-rowers. I was unlucky not to score a couple of tries. "The message was to take the game on and defend well. I thought I did that." Sharpe has recovered from a calf injury and is expected to be recalled at five-eighth for the clash against the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. Gamble is also on track to return from a broken thumb. "I want to play first grade as much as I can," Hastings said. "The boys who are playing in front of me are doing a great job. I just have to bide my time and keep working hard. "When I get a chance, go out there and play my best. I can do a job in most positions. Wherever they need me I will play."
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Titans wing whiz has more 'crazy' try records in reach
Gold Coast winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira is on track to be one of the greatest try scoring machines of all time after notching his 50th career four-pointer in just 52 games. The 23-year-old said it was "crazy" that he equalled former Parramatta flyer Semi Radradra as the fastest to 50 tries in the NRL era. Khan-Pereira reached the milestone with a try double in the Titans' 28-8 win over Manly on Friday night to take his career tally to 51. "Just comparing myself with Radradra is pretty crazy. It's a cool stat," he said. If he keeps his strike rate up in the years to come, Khan-Pereira could overhaul the best of the best. The leading try scorers of all time are former North Sydney and Manly marvel Ken Irvine (212 tries in 238 games), South Sydney speed demon Alex Johnston (202 in 233) and Melbourne magician Billy Slater (190 in 313). Khan-Pereira has a better try-scoring strike rate than all of them. His achievements are even more remarkable considering he plays for a side that has a win record of just 35 per cent in the games he has played. Compare that to the win rates of the teams Irvine (55 per cent), Radradra (51 per cent) and Slater (77 per cent) played with. Khan-Pereira is a humble man and credited his left centre Brian Kelly, who set him up for one of his tries against Manly, as an inspiration and creative force. "Me and BK have got a mad combo," Khan-Pereira said. "We have worked on it for many years now. BK took me under his wing and I read him like a book. That try, where he set me up (against Manly), he was looking on the inside, I just knew he was going to pass it to me. "We are only going to get better." Khan-Pereira announced himself as a rare talent when he scored 25 tries in just 19 games for Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup in 2022. "The Burleigh boys put me on the map and big (centre) Sami Sauiluma set me up for just as many tries as BK has done," he said. "I couldn't be where I am today without those Burleigh boys." Khan-Pereira didn't start playing rugby league until the age of 11 after growing up playing soccer. The former Queensland under 18s representative is qualified for the Maroons and has played twice for the Prime Ministers XIII against Papua New Guinea. He has Indigenous and Pakistani heritage. Friday night's win was more remarkable considering the last-placed Titans were without 11 top 30 players through State of Origin and injuries, against a Manly side that did not have an Origin representative missing for the first time since 2015. "We all got together and wanted to play the way us Titans boys used to play," Khan-Pereira said. "That's with our fast footy and going around teams." The Titans travel to Parramatta, also on the bottom of the NRL ladder with 12 points, on Sunday night. "We are both at the bottom and the desperation is there. We are both going to be very hungry to get that W (win)," Khan-Pereira said. Gold Coast winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira is on track to be one of the greatest try scoring machines of all time after notching his 50th career four-pointer in just 52 games. The 23-year-old said it was "crazy" that he equalled former Parramatta flyer Semi Radradra as the fastest to 50 tries in the NRL era. Khan-Pereira reached the milestone with a try double in the Titans' 28-8 win over Manly on Friday night to take his career tally to 51. "Just comparing myself with Radradra is pretty crazy. It's a cool stat," he said. If he keeps his strike rate up in the years to come, Khan-Pereira could overhaul the best of the best. The leading try scorers of all time are former North Sydney and Manly marvel Ken Irvine (212 tries in 238 games), South Sydney speed demon Alex Johnston (202 in 233) and Melbourne magician Billy Slater (190 in 313). Khan-Pereira has a better try-scoring strike rate than all of them. His achievements are even more remarkable considering he plays for a side that has a win record of just 35 per cent in the games he has played. Compare that to the win rates of the teams Irvine (55 per cent), Radradra (51 per cent) and Slater (77 per cent) played with. Khan-Pereira is a humble man and credited his left centre Brian Kelly, who set him up for one of his tries against Manly, as an inspiration and creative force. "Me and BK have got a mad combo," Khan-Pereira said. "We have worked on it for many years now. BK took me under his wing and I read him like a book. That try, where he set me up (against Manly), he was looking on the inside, I just knew he was going to pass it to me. "We are only going to get better." Khan-Pereira announced himself as a rare talent when he scored 25 tries in just 19 games for Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup in 2022. "The Burleigh boys put me on the map and big (centre) Sami Sauiluma set me up for just as many tries as BK has done," he said. "I couldn't be where I am today without those Burleigh boys." Khan-Pereira didn't start playing rugby league until the age of 11 after growing up playing soccer. The former Queensland under 18s representative is qualified for the Maroons and has played twice for the Prime Ministers XIII against Papua New Guinea. He has Indigenous and Pakistani heritage. Friday night's win was more remarkable considering the last-placed Titans were without 11 top 30 players through State of Origin and injuries, against a Manly side that did not have an Origin representative missing for the first time since 2015. "We all got together and wanted to play the way us Titans boys used to play," Khan-Pereira said. "That's with our fast footy and going around teams." The Titans travel to Parramatta, also on the bottom of the NRL ladder with 12 points, on Sunday night. "We are both at the bottom and the desperation is there. We are both going to be very hungry to get that W (win)," Khan-Pereira said. Gold Coast winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira is on track to be one of the greatest try scoring machines of all time after notching his 50th career four-pointer in just 52 games. The 23-year-old said it was "crazy" that he equalled former Parramatta flyer Semi Radradra as the fastest to 50 tries in the NRL era. Khan-Pereira reached the milestone with a try double in the Titans' 28-8 win over Manly on Friday night to take his career tally to 51. "Just comparing myself with Radradra is pretty crazy. It's a cool stat," he said. If he keeps his strike rate up in the years to come, Khan-Pereira could overhaul the best of the best. The leading try scorers of all time are former North Sydney and Manly marvel Ken Irvine (212 tries in 238 games), South Sydney speed demon Alex Johnston (202 in 233) and Melbourne magician Billy Slater (190 in 313). Khan-Pereira has a better try-scoring strike rate than all of them. His achievements are even more remarkable considering he plays for a side that has a win record of just 35 per cent in the games he has played. Compare that to the win rates of the teams Irvine (55 per cent), Radradra (51 per cent) and Slater (77 per cent) played with. Khan-Pereira is a humble man and credited his left centre Brian Kelly, who set him up for one of his tries against Manly, as an inspiration and creative force. "Me and BK have got a mad combo," Khan-Pereira said. "We have worked on it for many years now. BK took me under his wing and I read him like a book. That try, where he set me up (against Manly), he was looking on the inside, I just knew he was going to pass it to me. "We are only going to get better." Khan-Pereira announced himself as a rare talent when he scored 25 tries in just 19 games for Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup in 2022. "The Burleigh boys put me on the map and big (centre) Sami Sauiluma set me up for just as many tries as BK has done," he said. "I couldn't be where I am today without those Burleigh boys." Khan-Pereira didn't start playing rugby league until the age of 11 after growing up playing soccer. The former Queensland under 18s representative is qualified for the Maroons and has played twice for the Prime Ministers XIII against Papua New Guinea. He has Indigenous and Pakistani heritage. Friday night's win was more remarkable considering the last-placed Titans were without 11 top 30 players through State of Origin and injuries, against a Manly side that did not have an Origin representative missing for the first time since 2015. "We all got together and wanted to play the way us Titans boys used to play," Khan-Pereira said. "That's with our fast footy and going around teams." The Titans travel to Parramatta, also on the bottom of the NRL ladder with 12 points, on Sunday night. "We are both at the bottom and the desperation is there. We are both going to be very hungry to get that W (win)," Khan-Pereira said.
